Hawkesbury–Nepean River System Coastal Management Program

The CMP will set the long-term strategy for managing the Hawkesbury–Nepean river system, developed in line with the NSW state government's coastal management framework.

Known as the "blue heart" of Sydney and the Central Coast, the Hawkesbury–Nepean is an environmentally significant waterway with deep cultural heritage and strong community connections. It also supports tourism and aquaculture across greater Sydney.

Ku-ring-gai sits within the river's catchment. Local waterways including Cowan Creek and Berowra Creek drain from the area into the lower estuary, which means what happens here affects the health of the broader river system.

The river is under increasing pressure from catchment development, population growth, coastal hazards, and climate change. The CMP responds to those pressures with a long-term strategy and a 10-year program of works to improve waterway health, build hazard resilience, and protect the river's social and cultural values.

A new approach to managing the Hawkesbury–Nepean

The CMP covers the tidal sections of the waterway from Broken Bay, extending more than 145 km upstream to Yarramundi near Richmond, and includes Pittwater and Brisbane Water – together forming one integrated river system.

Six councils along the tidal reaches of the river are developing the CMP together, supported by NSW state government funding and technical expertise. Ku-ring-gai Council is part of that partnership, alongside Northern Beaches, Central Coast, Hornsby Shire, The Hills Shire, and Hawkesbury City councils.

Our long-term vision

To preserve and enhance the environmental, social, and economic values of the Hawkesbury–Nepean river system for current and future generations, and ensure its status as one of Australia's premier river systems.

Our goals

• Improve and maintain water quality
• Protect waterway ecosystems
• Protect cultural heritage values
• Reduce coastal hazard risks
• Improve recreational access and amenity
• Improve river governance

As well as addressing current conditions, the CMP guides planning and adaptation for the river system over the next 100 years, including the long-term impacts of population growth and climate change.

We heard from the community

The CMP has been developed with significant input from state government agencies and local First Nations groups throughout. Stage 3, completed in May 2025, involved one of the largest community consultation programs of any CMP in NSW. During a 10-week engagement period there were 21 drop-in sessions attended by more than 500 people, 162 management suggestions were received, and over 4,000 votes were cast on proposed actions. The draft CMP reflects that feedback.

For a full overview of how the program has developed – including progress updates, technical studies, and a summary of each stage – visit the project page.