Hornsby Shire Council has approved a draft long-term management plan to protect the health and resilience of the Hawkesbury Nepean River.
At its general meeting on 11 March, the council approved the Draft Hawkesbury-Nepean River System Coastal Management Program (HNRS CMP) for public exhibition. The program represents a major step in a collaborative effort to manage one of New South Wales’ most significant river systems.
The draft plan has been developed through a partnership involving Central Coast Council, Hawkesbury City Council, The Hills Shire Council, Ku-ring-gai Council and Northern Beaches Council.
The coordinated program focuses on managing the 145-kilometre tidal reach of the river system extending from Broken Bay to Yarramundi and including waterways such as Pittwater and Brisbane Water.
The strategy outlines practical actions to be delivered over the next decade to improve waterway health, strengthen resilience to natural hazards and protect the environmental, cultural and social values associated with the river system.
Community engagement has played a significant role in shaping the draft program. Input was gathered from residents, river users, First Nations communities, businesses and other stakeholders during one of the most extensive consultation processes undertaken for a coastal management program in NSW.
The draft plan is expected to go on public exhibition for six weeks from mid-April 2026 through council consultation portals, allowing residents to review the proposed actions and provide feedback before the program is finalised and submitted to the state government for certification.
Certification would enable participating councils to apply for funding through the NSW Coastal and Estuary Grants Program, helping support long-term environmental improvements across the river system.
The meeting also addressed a range of other governance and community matters, including decisions regarding the recruitment process for a new general manager, planning proposals in Galston, and initiatives relating to micromobility safety and domestic violence awareness.
