The The Hills Shire Council has called for the creation of a dedicated authority to manage and protect the Hawkesbury River, highlighting growing concerns over fragmented governance and environmental pressures.
Stretching over 120 kilometres from Yarramundi to the Northern Beaches, the river is currently overseen by a complex network of eight local councils and more than a dozen government agencies. This multi-layered system has long been criticised for lacking coordination, accountability and clear responsibility.
Mayor Michelle Byrne acknowledged the ongoing collaboration between councils but stressed that the current structure is no longer effective. She described the system as one where responsibility is shared but not clearly owned, leading to gaps in management and oversight.
The Hawkesbury River plays a vital role across New South Wales – serving as a key drinking water source, supporting agriculture and aquaculture, sustaining ecosystems and providing recreational spaces for communities. However, increasing concerns around water quality, pollution and environmental degradation have intensified calls for stronger governance.
Local councils are currently working together on a Coastal Management Plan aimed at improving water quality, biodiversity and sustainable use of the river. Despite these efforts, the involvement of multiple agencies has created a fragmented approach, often slowing decision-making and limiting long-term impact.
Councillors have warned that rapid population growth across Western Sydney will further strain the river system. With projections indicating the region could reach 10 million residents by 2041, pressures on water quality, infrastructure and flood management are expected to increase significantly.
Concerns raised by the community include declining water quality, rising salinity levels, impacts on native species, navigation hazards and a lack of coordinated flood response. These issues, combined with ongoing development across the catchment, highlight the urgency for a unified strategy.
Council representatives have emphasised that a central authority could provide a single point of coordination, aligning existing plans, improving accountability and introducing measurable targets to track the river’s health over time. Such a body would also play a crucial role in managing flood responses and ensuring timely action during emergencies.
The proposal also revisits the idea of a previously existing body – the Office of the Hawkesbury–Nepean – which once oversaw the river system before being disbanded. Council leaders believe reinstating a similar authority could significantly improve long-term outcomes.
Formal discussions have now been initiated, with the Council writing to the NSW Government seeking engagement on a new governance model. The move signals a broader push for stronger leadership and coordinated action to safeguard one of the state’s most important natural assets.
As environmental and population pressures continue to grow, the call for a central authority reflects a clear message – protecting the Hawkesbury River will require a more unified, accountable and forward-looking approach.
