A massive clean-up of debris in the Hawkesbury River has been launched following the devastating floods in February.
The Hawkesbury is just one of the rivers being surveyed for hazardous submerged debris with an advanced sonar program, with clean-up crews coming in behind to remove that debris once located.
The NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA)-led program removes dangerous obstacles to navigation and water safety, including giant tree trunks and water tanks, from rivers.
EPA Director, Arminda Ryan, said the Sonar (submerged debris) Clean-up Program was successfully uncovering submerged and dangerous debris.
“By using the latest technology available our aim is to make this recovery as thorough and efficient as possible,” Ryan said.
The strength of the Sonar Program is its ability to reveal otherwise invisible hazards.
Sonar technology mounted on boats sends out sound waves and measures returning echoes to detect large items on the riverbed.
Based on what has been found on shoreside clean-ups hazards are expected to include items as diverse as chemical drums, farming equipment, large tree branches and even caravans.
Ryan said the Sonar Program was just one part of a combined NSW Government agency effort with the EPA working closely with Transport for NSW to secure and mark hazardous debris prior to removal.
“Transport for NSW has provided the EPA with 11 priority locations for surveying in the Hawkesbury River,” she said.
“OceanWatch Australia has provided a further two priority locations.”
Ryan said the shoreline clean-up had already removed more than 6,800 cubic meters of eligible flood debris across NSW since the beginning of March, which is enough to fill more than 340 8-tonne tip trucks.
“The communities in flood impacted areas have been through very tough times in the past couple of years and the extension of these programs will support communities with their recovery from the floods,” she said.
These clean-ups will take time and we ask people to remain patient but also to be safe around the water if they are assisting with clean-up or using local beaches and waterways.”
Members of the community can assist the clean-up of their local area by reporting flood debris to the Environment Line on 131 555 or info@epa.nsw.gov.au.
Primary Source: Media release, Jun 3, 2022 Environment Protection Authority