Last week, students met Lindsay MP David Bradbury and Sydney Bass Fishing Club members at the river near Emu Green in Emu Heights

‘‘McCarthy College is proud to help, with students doing native seed collections and some weed control,’’ assistant principal Gerard Delany said.

‘‘We’re eager to support this program and raise environmental awareness in the community.’’

The program involves cutting back balloon vine and other weeds such as privet and lantana.

Bass Sydney volunteer Milton Lazarus said Balloon Vine was the worst because it grew metres high, killing native vegetation.

‘‘We cut the vine at shoulder length so it eventually dies,’’ Mr Lazarus said.

Year 10 students Liam Clerke, Ben Hatfield and Joshua Jones said they were pleased to do their bit.

‘‘It’s good to get involved with helping the environment,’’ Liam said.

Ben said: ‘‘We need to get rid of the weed; it’s not nice walking through this place with it everywhere.’’

Joshua said: ‘‘We enjoy helping out with this because everyone can enjoy fishing again.’’

Mr Bradbury said it was gratifying to see students and volunteers helping restore Nepean River. He said a federal government grant of $6420 had made it possible.

‘‘The Nepean River is an icon of our community and it is important that we protect it,’’ Mr Bradbury said.

‘‘This particular site was at risk of becoming an environmental wasteland, but after hundreds of hours of man power, its native state is now being restored.’’

He urged anyone else interested in similar projects to apply for Community Action Grants at nrm.gov.au or 1800552008 before March 27.