Hawkesbury management plan a step closer

A management plan for the Hawkesbury River is a step closer thanks to a $432,000 grant from the State Government.

Six councils, including Central Coast Council, have joined forces to prepare a Coastal Management Program (CMP) ensuring sustainable and strategic long-term management of the Hawkesbury Nepean River System.

Led by Hornsby Council, the partnership includes Central Coast, Hawkesbury, The Hills, Ku-ring-gai and Northern Beaches Councils as well as State Government agencies.

The Hawkesbury Nepean River Coastal Management Program (HNRCMP) will ensure a collaborative approach to the management of the river and adjacent lands.

Stages 1 and 2 of the Program involved a scoping study, community engagement and fieldwork to determine risks, vulnerabilities and opportunities to fill information gaps.

Awarded from the NSW Coastal and Estuary grants program, the new funding will allow the project to now move to Stages 3 and 4.

Stage 3 includes engaging with the community and stakeholders and identifying short and long term management options to manage key threats facing the estuary now and in the future.

In Stage 4, the councils will prepare, exhibit and finalise the HNRCMP before submitting it to the NSW Government for certification and adoption.

Hornsby Mayor Philip Ruddock said the program would be important for all communities along the waterway.

“Hornsby Council is proud to be leading the charge in this important program,” he said.

“The Management Plan will ensure the coordinated management and sustainable development of the Hawkesbury-Nepean River system, including Broken Bay, Brisbane Water and Pittwater estuaries, for the benefit of nature, the economy and the community.

“A true collaboration, the program is a wonderful example of the great work that can be done when councils and state government work together.

“We thank the NSW Government for its support and look forward to progressing Stages 3 and 4.”

For more information about the Hawkesbury Nepean River Coastal Management Program and to sign up for updates visit hawkesburynepeancmp.org.

Source:
Hornsby Council