The NSW Government has announced the start of new environmental flows for the Hawkesbury-Nepean River following the completion of a $39 million upgrade to dams and weirs across the system.
NSW Minister for Water, Phil Costa said the new environmental flows were a major investment in one of Sydney’s most important river systems and a key part of the NSW Government’s Metropolitan Water Plan to secure water for people and the environment.
“Overall the new environmental flow rules will see a tenfold increase in the amount of water released to restore the health of one of Sydney’s most iconic waterways,“ Minister Costa said.
To find out more read the NSW Government media release.
The Smart Farms projects (NutrientSmart Farms and WaterSmart Farms) are working with landholders in the lower Hawkesbury Nepean region to improve nutrient management and water use efficiency.
See the latest Smart Farms newsletter for these feature articles:
- NutrientSmart Farms on target early
- Grants for River Water Irrigators
- Case study: Microbes to Manage Dairy Effluent Ponds
- Grants for Land Management Projects: BIG or small!
The Smart Farms projects are part of the Hawkesbury Nepean River Recovery Program which aims to improve river health by making more water available for environmental flows and reducing nutrient inputs to the river system. The Hawkesbury-Nepean River Recovery Program is funded by the Australian Government through the Water for the Future program.
The Office of the Hawkesbury-Nepean (OHN) has developed a new website to help provide a basis for improved management of the Hawkesbury-Nepean River.
The OHN was established by the NSW Government by legislation in April 2009 to improve the health of the river system, primarily through improved consultation and engagement with river communities and more effective coordination and implementation of the river management activities of State and local government agencies.
It is envisaged that this website will play an important role in the OHN fulfilling its legislative role in providing information to a broad range of stakeholders within agencies, local councils and the community on river management. Much of the initial content of the website therefore focuses on how the river is managed, including roles, responsibilities and strategies for the management of water quality, river flows, aquatic weeds and riparian lands.
The website can be accessed at www.ohn.nsw.gov.au.
Indigenous women from across the Hawkesbury-Nepean catchment will be coming together at a conference in May to share their knowledge and stories about the regions waterways.
The conference titled Djuralie – Healthy River Healthy Communities…Our Rivers More than Just Water runs from 6-7 May at Mt Annan.
Dr Fran Bodkin, member of the Hawkesbury-Nepean Aboriginal Advisory Committee, said that Indigenous women traditionally have had a very close connection to waterways.
“Today Indigenous women continue this connection through their cultural practices and stories and we take seriously our responsibility to nurture and maintain the health of our local waterways,” said Dr Bodkin.
For further information visit the Hawkesbury-Nepean CMA website.
Wise management of our precious water resource remains a major challenge in the 21st Century. In spite of numerous programs in place for protecting national rivers, our waterways are still in a continuous battle with discharge of pollutants and other human activities at varying levels. How aware are we of these effects? Who should be involved in the better management of our rivers? What do we mean by a healthy river? What practical actions can we take to improve the health of our rivers? These questions will remain unanswered until we find holistic management tools and approaches to protect our rivers. Read more »
News | Bruce Boyes | 
9 July 2010 9:05 am | 
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