LOCAL LIFE
Council pushes for single authority to fix
Hawkesbury River Management
The Hills Shire Council is ramping up pressure on the NSW Government to establish a single authority to take control of the Hawkesbury River, warning the current fragmented system is failing one of the state’ s most critical waterways. Stretching 120 kilometres from Yarramundi to Box Head and Barrenjoey Head, the Hawkesbury River is managed across eight local government areas— The Hills, Hawkesbury, Penrith, Blacktown, Hornsby, Liverpool, Wollondilly and the Central Coast— and overseen by at least 13 agencies, most of them state entities.
The result, Council says, is a disjointed and ineffective approach that has left residents, councils and stakeholders frustrated for years.
Mayor of The Hills Shire, Dr Michelle Byrne, said while councils are working together on Coastal Management Plan, the broader governance model is no longer fit for purpose.
“ 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— and that’ s simply not good enough for a river of this importance.
“ What we need is a single, accountable authority to take charge of the entire system and deliver real outcomes.” Mayor Byrne said the river plays a critical role in supplying drinking water, supporting agriculture and aquaculture, and sustaining ecosystems, while also serving as a major recreational asset for local communities.
“ Its protection is non-negotiable,” she said.
“ But right now, it’ s also receiving sewage outflows and other contaminants, and the lack of coordinated oversight is putting its long-term health at risk.”
Council has warned that population growth across Western Sydney— much of which sits within the Hawkesbury – Nepean catchment— will only intensify these pressures, with the region forecast to reach 10 million people by 2041.
“ As our population grows, so too does the strain on this river system,” Mayor Byrne said.
“ Residents are already raising concerns about declining water quality, impacts on native species, rising salinity, navigation hazards and inconsistent flood management.
“ We cannot afford to wait until the situation worsens. Without proper oversight, we risk turning an iconic waterway into an environmental liability.”
Councillor Mitchell Blue said the cumulative impact of ongoing development across the catchment could no longer be ignored.
“ If we don’ t act now, the consequences for the river and the communities that rely on it will be significant,” Cr Blue said.
Councillor Jacob Jackson said the absence of a central authority was a critical gap in managing the river’ s future.
“ This is a shared natural asset that supports communities, industries and ecosystems across a vast region,” he said.
“ Without clear leadership and accountability, we will continue to see fragmented decision-making and missed opportunities to protect it.”
A dedicated authority previously existed in the form of the Office of the Hawkesbury – Nepean, before being disbanded.
Mayor Byrne questioned that decision, saying the current model has proven less effective.
“ Having 13 agencies and eight councils all attempting to manage the river is clearly not working,” she said.
“ A central authority would provide a one-stop shop to coordinate
Mayor Byrne at the Hawkesbury River.
responsibilities, align existing plans and introduce meaningful performance measures to track the river’ s health.”
Flood management remains another major concern, with Council warning there is currently no single body responsible for coordinating approvals, responses or recovery efforts following major events.
“ A central authority would ensure the community receives timely, coordinated responses when it matters most,” Mayor Byrne said.
Council has formally written to the NSW Government seeking a meeting to discuss a new governance model and is now awaiting a response.“ I look forward to updating the community on our progress,” Mayor Byrne said.
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8 ISSUE 131 // MAY 2026 theindependentmagazine. com. au THE HILLS INDEPENDENT