Hawkesbury Nepean CMP Newsletter Jan 22 issue

Hawkesbury-Nepean River Coastal Management Program newsletter

The Hawkesbury-Nepean River Coastal Management Program (CMP) is being developed by the six councils that border the tidal section of the Hawkesbury estuary with support from the NSW Government. While we will aim to consider all physical, biological and chemical processes occurring throughout the Hawkesbury-Nepean River catchment from its source in Goulburn, the CMP will primarily focus on the impacts within the tidal section stretching over 145 km from Broken Bay up to Yarramundi near Richmond. The CMP also covers the waterways of Pittwater and Brisbane Water which converge with the Lower Hawkesbury-Nepean River at Broken Bay.

Our vision is:

“To preserve and enhance the environmental, social and economic values of the Hawkesbury River estuary system and its catchment for future generations, and ensure its status as one of Australia’s premier river systems”

A CMP is a strategic document that sets the long-term strategy for the coordinated management of the Hawkesbury-Nepean river system, with a focus on achieving the objects and objectives of the Coastal Management Act 2016. Among other deliverables, a finalised and certified CMP will contain a 10-year action program to maintain a clean and healthy river and ecosystem, safeguarding the social and economic benefits it provides for our community. There are many CMPs currently being developed in NSW, all at different stages of progression. The Hawkesbury Nepean River CMP is currently at Stage 2 of the development process that involves community engagement, confirmation of key issues and concerns, fieldwork to confirm current knowledge and completion of identified technical studies to fill key information gaps.

Learn more about:

Stage 2 Technical Studies Update

A review of existing information and a knowledge gap analysis undertaken during Stage 1 has identified a number of high-priority technical studies required for the successful progression of the CMP.

ABRIDGEMENT REPORT

This report will summarise the key physical and ecological processes driving the estuarine section of the Hawkesbury-Nepean River System based on the information from previous and current management and monitoring programs, technical studies completed by Councils and academic studies. This project commenced in November 2021 and is expected to be completed over the next 12 months. Read more.

HAWKESBURY RIVER BANK EROSION STUDY

45 locations along the estuary section will be assessed over the upcoming months using a combination of methods: desktop analysis of historical aerial imagery, LiDAR and bathymetry data, and on-site inspections. A standardised erosion assessment tools will be applied and management responses developed. Read more.

PITTWATER COASTAL HAZARD ASSESSMENT

In addition to the Hawkesbury River Bank Erosion Study, an assessment of beach erosion and shoreline recession hazards will be completed at 6 key areas in the Pittwater Estuary. The purpose of the study is to determine the magnitude and extent of short-term beach erosion (from storms) and long-term shoreline recession and to consider the impacts of predicted sea-level rise. Read more .

TIDAL AND COASTAL INUNDATION STUDY

This study will combine information from current studies undertaken on flood inundation (i.e. catchment flooding) and analysis of potential coastal inundation potentially caused by large waves and elevated water levels associated with a range of coastal and oceanographic process responses to severe storms. Read more.

Engagement Opportunities Update

To make sure we are facilitating a two-way flow of information between us and our stakeholders, we will be running a series of community events both off- and on-line. These events will allow us to develop a shared understanding of what our stakeholders’ concerns, needs and values are, so that we can effectively incorporate them in the planning and decision-making while developing the CMP.

Upcoming events (Jan-Mar 2022):

2022 Fishfest - 25-27 Feb, come and visit our stalls at Penrith Panthers on the 25th and 27th of February.

View Fishfest 2022 event details

‘Our Hawkesbury River’ photo competition results

To celebrate last year’s World Rivers Day on 26th September 2021 we held the ‘Our Hawkesbury River’ photography competition.

In just three weeks 363 unique submissions were made ranging from breath-taking river vistas to stunning shots of the wildlife to laughter-filled photos of family fun to be held on our beautiful river.

It was extremely hard to select just 3 photos from over 300 submissions, so the judges of the competition made a decision to narrow the finalists list down to 14 photos (each member of the committee selected one finalist photo) and run the second round of voting to determine 3 winning submissions that would receive one of our prize giveaways - an NSW National Parks ‘All-Parkes’ pass.

Congratulations to Brooke G, Daniel B and Paul B! We hope the passes will allow you to further enjoy and explore beautiful National Parks along the mighty Hawkesbury and beyond.

Each of the outstanding 14 short-listed submissions will also go forward for print to make up Our Hawkesbury 2022 Wall Calendar. Come to visit us at one of our upcoming events to get a copy of our calendar.

Locations for most of the wonderful competition photo submissions from across the Hawkesbury-Nepean Catchment can be found here.

You received this email because you have requested to be kept informed of the progress with the CMP development. If you no longer wish to receive updates from us you can unsubscribe below.

This newsletter will be released quarterly, so keep an eye out on our project website for more regular updates - hawkesburynepeancmp.org. Feel free to forward the Hawkesbury-Nepean River CMP Newsletter!

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Thanks for staying involved and contributing to the Hawkesbury-Nepean Coastal Management Program!

Best wishes from members of the Hawkesbury-Nepean CMP Steering Committee