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Estuaries in NSW

Hawkesbury River
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[Image of Estuary] Hawkesbury River
Shape, Size and Scale of Estuary

Estuary Type

River

Estuary Characteristics

Area Catchment 21500 km2
Waterway Area 100 km2
Entrance Characteristics Open and untrained
Location (Lat-Long) 33.567S ,  151.309E
Distance (from Sydney) 50 km North
Summary of Available Data Data Pages

Physical Features

The Hawkesbury River becomes the Nepean River upstream of its tidal limit near Yarramundi about 145 km from Broken Bay. Most of the northern and western areas of the Hawkesbury Valley are heavily timbered and comprise rugged and mountainous terrain with land slopes greater than 15°. Major tributaries of the Hawkesbury River include the MacDonald, Colo and Grose Rivers. In its lower reaches the river is infilling a drowned valley.

Significant Estuarine Tributaries

Hawksbury River
Macdonald River
Redbank Creek
Grose River
South Creek
Ropes Creek
Eastern Creek
Reedy Creek
Mooney Mooney Creek
Mullet Creek
Patonga Creek
Berowra Creek
Cowan Creek
Macdonald River

Population and Holiday Centres

Patonga
Brooklyn
Bobbin Head
Berowra Waters
Wisemans Ferry
Windsor
Richmond

Special Attributes

General

  • State's largest estuary being tidal to Yarramundi road bridge, a distance of 145 km upstream.
  • The river and flood plains contain all of Sydney's gravel reserves and 80% of its construction and industrial sand, with a total value that could be as high as $9,000 million.
  • Extensive mangrove stands (11 km2), and important prawn, oyster and other molluscs producer in the lower reaches. State's third largest oyster producer ($4M p.a.).
  • Seven national parks, five nature reserves and two State Recreation areas fall within the Hawkesbury catchment.
  • Valuable recreational resource with scenic quality.
  • Market gardening, turf farming and animal husbandry on upper estuary alluvial flats is worth $60M p.a.
  • Has a number of adjoining National Parks - Bouddi, Ku-Ring-Gai Chase, Brisbane Water, Marramarra, Dharug, Yengo, Wollemi and Parr State Recreational Area

Estuarine Vegetation

The spatial data is reproduced from NSW Fisheries(2006/7) studies, whilst the species makeup is from the West et al.(1985). This map shows the spatial extent of the Estuarine Vegetation.

Type Area Species 1
(km2)
Mangroves 9.241 av,ae
Seagrass 0.381 z,h
Saltmarsh 2.395

References

R.J. Williams, G. West, D. Morrison and R.G. Creese, (2006),
"Estuarine Resources of New South Wales",
prepared for the Comprehensive Coastal Assessment (DoP) by the NSW Department of Primary Industries, Port Stephens.

R.J. West, C.A. Thorogood, T.R. Walford and R.J. Williams. (1985).
"An Estuarine Inventory for New South Wales, Australia".
Fisheries Bulletin 2. Department of Agriculture, New South Wales.

Estuary Commerce

fishing, oyster, boating, tourism, extraction, sewage

Management Issues

This estuary falls in the area covered by Hawkesbury Nepean Catchment Management Authority.

There are 3 committee(s) active on this estuary

Hawkesbury River

Current Situation

Gosford City Council has formed the Gosford Coastal Management, Lagoon Management and Coastal Planning (CLP), Committee which also covers estuary management.

The Broken Bay Beaches Coastal Management Plan was completed in 1999.

An NHT funded Scoping Study is currently underway to develop a framework for future whole of estuary initiatives.

The Estuary Management Process 2

Process Status Date
Form Estuary Management Committee (EMC) none
Assemble Existing Data none
Carryout Process Study none
Carryout Estuary Management Study none
Draft Estuary Management Plan none
Review Estuary Management Plan none
Implement Estuary Management Plan none
Monitor and Review Estuary Management Process none

Contact Details

Brooklyn

Current Situation

Hornsby Council has formed an estuary management committee to prepare a management plan for Brooklyn. Gosford City Council are represented on the committee and are contributing to the plan's development.

Consultant group WBM Oceanics Australia has been commissioned to develop the plan. The plan is due for completion in 2005.

Upon completion of the Brooklyn Estuary Management Plan Hornsby Council may consider dissolving the Berowra Creek and Brooklyn committees and consolidate its estuary management committees so that only one committee advises Council on estuary management issues in the Hornsby LGA. Council's web site http://www.brooklyn-ems.com.au

The Estuary Management Process 2

Process Status Date
Form Estuary Management Committee (EMC) completed
Assemble Existing Data completed 2002
Carryout Process Study completed 2003
Carryout Estuary Management Study commenced 2004
Draft Estuary Management Plan none
Review Estuary Management Plan none
Implement Estuary Management Plan none
Monitor and Review Estuary Management Process none

Contact Details

Hornsby Council Jacqui Grove
Ph 9847 6666

Berowra Creek

Current Situation

Lake Macquarie City Council has formed the Lake Macquarie Estuary / Coastal Management Committee to prepare a management plan for the Lake Macquarie estuary. The management plan has been completed and is currently being implemented by Council.

Current projects include

  • management of heavy metals (from base metal slag) on foreshore reserves.
  • Integrated Foreshore Management Plans, Implementation Strategy and Education Program for Lake Macquarie.
  • Stabilisation of foreshore, Mats Point to Black Neds Bay.

Separately, Lake Macquarie and Wyong Councils are members of the Lake Macquarie Project Management Committee which is implementing the Lake Macquarie Taskforce - Integrated Estuary and Catchment Management Framework (1999). Contact Jeff Jansson, Lake Macquarie & Catchment Coordinator Ph 4921 0230 for further details.

The Estuary Management Process 2

Process Status Date
Form Estuary Management Committee (EMC) completed
Assemble Existing Data completed
Carryout Process Study completed
Carryout Estuary Management Study completed
Draft Estuary Management Plan completed
Review Estuary Management Plan completed
Implement Estuary Management Plan commenced 2000
Monitor and Review Estuary Management Process none Planned review in 2005

Contact Details

Hornsby Council Jacqui Grove
Ph 9847 6666 Fax 9847 6598

References

Local Government Areas

Hornsby
Baulkham Hills
Hawkesbury
Blacktown
Penrith
Liverpool
Blue Mountains

NSW 1:25000 Map Name(s)

Broken Bay
Gosford
Gunderman
Cowan
Mangrove
Lower Portland
Hornsby
St Albans
Wilberforce
Kurrajong
Riverstone