The Hills Shire Council has called for the establishment of a dedicated authority to manage one of the state's most significant natural assets - the Hawkesbury River.
Spanning the estuary from Yarramundi in the Hawkesbury to Box Head and Barrenjoey Head in the Northern Beaches, the 120-kilometre river is currently managed through a patchwork of plans and projects across eight local government areas: The Hills, Hawkesbury, Penrith, Blacktown, Hornsby, Liverpool, Wollondilly and the Central Coast.
These councils are jointly developing a Coastal Management Plan to improve coordination around estuary health, water quality, biodiversity and sustainable use.
At least thirteen agencies - most of them NSW Government entities - share responsibility for the river, creating a fragmented system that has caused frustration among residents, local councils and stakeholders for many years.
Mayor of The Hills Shire, Dr Michelle Byrne welcomed the collaborative work of local councils but said the current multi-agency model remains inadequate and inefficient.
"The current management of the Hawkesbury-Nepean River system is all care and no responsibility," Mayor Byrne said.
"We don't even have public water quality monitoring or targets.
"We need a holistic, coordinated and accountable approach. That is why Council is calling on the NSW Government to establish a central authority dedicated to overseeing the entire river system.
"The Hawkesbury is a vital source of drinking water, supports agriculture and aquaculture, sustains diverse ecosystems and provides treasured recreation spaces for our communities. Its protection is non-negotiable. It also receives sewage outflows and other contaminants, so how we manage it has significant economic and social implications."
With much of Western Sydney falling within the Hawkesbury-Nepean catchment, rapid population growth is expected to increase these pressures. NSW Government projections show the region's population could reach 10 million by 2041.
"As our population grows exponentially, this river system will come under even more pressure - and it's about time it is properly managed," Mayor Byrne said.
"Residents are already concerned about declining water quality, impacts on natural species, increased salinity, navigation hazards and the lack of coordinated flood mitigation across local government areas.
"The housing crisis is understandably a priority for this government, but those efforts will suffer a serious setback if this iconic river becomes a toxic waterway."
Councillor Mitchell Blue said the cumulative effect of rising development across the catchment can no longer be ignored.
"If we fail to address these issues, the consequences for the river, its ecosystem, those who use it and those who depend on it will be significant," Clr Blue said.
Councillor Jacob Jackson said strong leadership and clear accountability were essential to safeguard the river for future generations.
"The Hawkesbury River is a shared natural asset that supports communities, industries and ecosystems across a vast region. Without a single authority to coordinate planning, investment and environmental management, we risk ongoing decline and missed opportunities to protect this critical waterway," Clr Jackson said.
A central authority for the river once existed - the Office of the Hawkesbury-Nepean - before being abolished.
"I'm not sure why the former Office was disbanded," Mayor Byrne said.
"But I am confident that having 13 agencies and eight councils all attempting to manage the river is not a better solution.
"A central authority would serve as a one-stop shop to coordinate responsibilities, align existing plans, and establish meaningful performance indicators to track the health of the system."
Mayor Byrne also highlighted the importance of flood management.
"At present, no single agency coordinates approvals, consents, or clean-up activities following flooding events. A central authority would be crucial in ensuring the community receives timely and coordinated responses when it matters most."
Council has formally written to the NSW Government seeking a meeting to discuss establishing a new governance model for the Hawkesbury River.
"I look forward to updating the community on our progress," Mayor Byrne added.
