Sydney Metropolitan Catchment Management Authority has merged with Hawkesbury-Nepean Catchment Management Authority

The NSW Government recently announced that the Sydney Metropolitan Catchment Management Authority has been merged with the Hawkesbury-Nepean Catchment Management Authority as part of the changes to the regional service delivery model. From January, 2014 Local Land Services, a new regionally-based organisation will replace the Catchment Management Authorities, Livestock, Health & Pest Authorities and incorporate agricultural services currently provided by Agriculture NSW.

The Hawkesbury-Nepean Catchment Management Authority's area of operation now includes all the areas previously covered by the Sydney Metropolitan Catchment Management Authority. This website will now become an archived website. For more information about Hawkesbury Nepean Catchment Management Authority, and to find out about upcoming events visit www.hn.cma.nsw.gov.au

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Georges River
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Georges River

The Georges River catchment covers an area of approximately 960 square kilometres.

Some 1.2 million people reside in the catchment, making it one of the most highly urbanised catchments in Australia.
The catchment is divided into two broad soil types; Wianamatta Shale in the western portion and Hawkesbury Sandstone in southern, northern and eastern catchment.
Land use includes industrial, agricultural, residential, mining, a large area of defence force land and protected areas such as drinking water catchment and conservation area.

Upper Georges River

The Georges River begins near Appin, 60km south-west of Sydney. Approximately 45% of the catchment contains large tracts of natural bushland, most of which is found in the upper subcatchment. As a result, the detrimental affects of urbanisation are not significantly felt in this region and the un-modified state contributes excellent water quality and a diverse range of habitat that supports a rich aquatic ecosystem. However mining and urban run-off around Appin threaten the ecological integrity of the upper catchment. Significant tributaries include O’Hares Creek, Maddens Creek, Illuka Creek and Stokes Creek, all of which drain the Dharawhal Conservation Area and provide the majority of flow to the Georges River.

Mid Georges River

The mid Georges River subcatchment is characterised by a high degree of urbanisation and industry in the west, and large tracts of intact natural bushland in the south. Water quality and aquatic ecosystems within the mid Georges River catchment have become degraded by the impacts of urbanisation and industrial activity. However, within the aforementioned southern portion of the mid catchment where there has beenminimal urban development a number of tributaries remain in good condition. Major tributaries of the mid catchment include Cabramatta Creek, Hinchinbrook Creek, Harris Creek, Prospect Creek, Salt Pan Creek and Mill Creek.

Lower Georges River

The Lower Georges River subcatchment extends from Salt Pan Creek to Taren Point.  Many of the tributaries in this reach of the river are highly degraded due to a long history of industrial activity and a high degree of urbanisation, which has resulted in large areas of impervious surfaces causing increased stormwater runoff to enter the river.  Urbanisation has also led to a significant loss of vegetation within the subcatchment. However Heathcote Creek and Woronora River, remain in excellent condition due to minimal urbanisation within these subcatchments. The results of ecosystem sampling in these waterways found high levels of diversity, good water quality and intact vegetation communities.
 
 
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