HAWKESBURY NEPEAN RIVER HEALTH STRATEGY

Volume 2 The River Health Strategy comprises Volume 1 and Volume 2

HAWKESBURY NEPEAN RIVER HEALTH STRATEGY iii Hawkesbury Nepean Catchment Management Authority This booklet is copyright under the Berne Convention Copying of this report is permitted providing that the meaning is unchanged and the source is acknowledged. Published March 2007 Hawkesbury Nepean Catchment Management Authority Locked Bag 2048, Goulburn NSW Australia 2580

The River Health Strategy is available as a printed publication, on CD-Rom and on the Hawkesbury Nepean CMA’s website (www.hn.cma.nsw.gov.au). The CD-Rom and website contain both Volume One and Two of the Strategy in an easily accessible format where selected sections can be printed. Printed copies are available in limited numbers only.

ISBN 0 7347 5710 7

Acknowledgements The Hawkesbury Nepean River Health Strategy has been developed by the Hawkesbury Nepean Catchment Management Authority. The development of the Strategy would not have been possible without enormous assistance from a range of contributors including people who live and work in all areas of the catchment. Contributors included farmers, commercial and recreational fi shers, bushwalkers, environment groups, Landcare, non-government organisations, community groups, individuals, staff from Councils and state government departments. While the Strategy was an organisation-wide undertaking, the bulk of the document was developed by HNCMA Catchment Offi cers, Ruth Williams and Paul Bennett. Numerous other staff assisted with the rapid assessment and technical panels and contributed local expert knowledge. Everyone involved in the development of the Strategy share a passion for the many creeks and rivers of the Hawkesbury Nepean catchment and its environment. Some of the community members who gave their time and eff ort are profi led in the CD and website. The profi les give a taste of the valuable contribution made by many people. The Hawkesbury Nepean CMA gratefully acknowledge the wealth of knowledge and enthusiasm brought to the development of the Strategy by all who were involved.

iv HAWKESBURY NEPEAN CATCHMENT MANAGEMENT AUTHORITY CONTENTS - Volume One

The River Health Strategy is comprised of Volume 1 and Volume 2. Volume 1 contains the background, methods and summary of 8 management themes and Volume 2 contains Appendices with more detailed descriptions of values, threats and management actions for key waterways of the Hawkesbury Nepean catchment.

Minister’s Foreword v Chair’s Foreword vii Executive Summary viii List of Figures xii List of Tables xii

PPartart 1 BBackgroundackground andand ContextContext 1 1.1 The Hawkesbury Nepean Catchment 7 1.2 Rivers of the Hawkesbury Nepean 7 1.2.1 Condition of the Hawkesbury Nepean rivers 8 1.3 What is River Health 10 1.3.1 Ecological concepts 10 1.3.2 The vision for the rivers of the Hawkesbury Nepean 11 1.3.3 Managing for river health 12 1.3.4 The role of the Hawkesbury Nepean Catchment Management Authority 15 1.4 River Health Strategy Development 16 1.4.1 Methods 16 1.4.2 Applying the standard for quality natural resource management 25

PPartart 2 A strategystrategy forfor riverriver hhealthealth 27 2.1 Principles for management 27 2.2 Objectives for management 28 2.3 Themes for management action 30 2.4 Theme One: Improving the management of riparian lands 31 2.4.1 Introduction 31 2.4.2 River reaches 31 2.4.3 CMA actions and priorities 39 2.4.4 Link to targets 41 2.5 Theme Two: Management of severe immediate threats & severe downstream impacts 42 2.5.1 Introduction 42 2.5.2 River reaches 43 2.5.3 CMA actions and priorities 43 2.5.4 Link to targets 47

HAWKESBURY NEPEAN RIVER HEALTH STRATEGY v 2.6 Theme Three: Management of wetlands 48 2.6.1 Introduction 48 2.6.2 River reaches 48 2.6.3 CMA actions and priorities 51 2.6.4 Link to targets 52 2.7 Theme Four: Management of aquatic habitat condition and connectivity 53 2.7.1 Introduction 53 2.7.2 River reaches 53 2.7.3 CMA actions and priorities 54 2.7.4 Link to targets 56 2.8 Theme Five: Management of aquatic weeds 57 2.8.1 Introduction 57 2.8.2 River reaches 58 2.8.3 CMA actions and priorities 58 2.8.4 Link to targets 59 2.9 Theme Six: Management of public recreation sites on riverbanks 61 2.9.1 Introduction 61 2.9.2 River reaches 61 2.9.3 CMA actions and priorities 63 2.9.4 Link to targets 64 2.10 Theme Seven: Supporting the community to take action 65 2.10.1 Introduction 65 2.10.2 River Reaches 66 2.10.3 CMA actions and priorities 66 2.10.4 Link to targets 67 2.11 Theme Eight: Management of habitat for fl agship species 69 2.11.1 Introduction 69 2.11.2 River reaches 71 2.11.3 CMA actions and priorities 71 2.11.4 Link to targets 71 2.12 A Special Case: The Cataract River 72

PPartart 3 IImplementationmplementation 7744 3.1 Scales of implementation 74 3.2 Nepean subcatchment case study 76

RReferenceseferences aandnd AAcronymscronyms 78 vi HAWKESBURY NEPEAN CATCHMENT MANAGEMENT AUTHORITY LListist ooff TTablesables

Table 1 Values and threats assessed in the Hawkesbury Nepean River Health Strategy 21 Table 2 Key Datasets and Information Sources for Environmental Asset and Threat Data 22 Table 3 River Health Strategy management themes and Catchment Action Plan targets 30 Table 4 Reach condition and riparian land management categories 32 Table 5 Management actions for riparian lands 40 Table 6 Severe immediate threat and severe downstream impact reaches-CMA action 43 Table 7 Severe immediate threat and severe downstream impact reaches for action by other agencies and organisations 46 Table 8 Important wetlands of the Hawkesbury Nepean Catchment 50 Table 9 Management actions for wetlands 51 Table 10 Management actions to improve aquatic habitat condition and connectivity 54 Table 11 Management actions for the control of aquatic weeds 58 Table 12 Actions for better management of public recreation sites on riverbanks 63 Table 13 Management actions to maintain and increase community capacity 66 Table 14 Pre- and post - bed cracking ratings for the Cataract River 73

LListist ooff FFiguresigures

Figure 1 Guide to the River Health Strategy 5 Figure 2 The Hawkesbury Nepean Catchment 6 Figure 3 Diagrammatic representation of the relationship of the River Health Strategy to government water planning processes 13 Figure 4 Phases in the development of the River Health Strategy 16 Figure 5 River reaches assessed in the River Health Strategy 18 Figure 6 Hawkesbury Nepean subcatchments 19 Figure 7 Level of assessment of river reaches 24 Figure 8 Composite reach condition of river reaches 34 Figure 9 Riparian lands management categories 35 Figure 10 River reaches with identifi ed severe immediate threats 44 Figure 11 River reaches identifi ed as having a severe downstream impact 45 Figure 12 Important wetlands and association within river reaches 49 Figure 13 Aquatic habitat connectivity on River Health Strategy reaches 55 Figure 14 Aquatic weed presence and severity of occurrence on river reaches 60 Figure 15 Public recreation riverbank sites on river reaches 62 Figure 16 Community environment activity in riparian lands 68 Figure 17 Flagship species associated with river reaches 70

HAWKESBURY NEPEAN RIVER HEALTH STRATEGY vii CONTENTS - Volume Two

PPartart 4 AAppendicesppendices

Appendix 4.1 Reaches in riparian lands management categories 1 Appendix 4.2 Subcatchment summaries and reach management actions 7 • Bargo River Sub-catchment • Berowra Creek Sub Catchment • Capertee River Sub-catchment • Cattai Creek Sub-catchment • Colo River Sub-catchment • Cowan Creek / Pittwater Sub-catchment • Erskine/Sassafras Creek Sub-catchment • Grose River Sub-catchment • Hawkesbury River Sub-catchment (freshwater) • Hawkesbury River Estuary Sub-catchment • Kowmung River Sub-catchment • Lower Coxs River Sub-catchment • Macdonald River Sub-catchment • Mangrove Creek Sub-catchment • Mid Coxs River Sub-catchment • Mooney Mooney Creek Sub-catchment • Mulwaree River Sub-catchment • Nattai River Sub-catchment • Nepean River Sub-catchment • South Creek Sub-catchment • Upper Coxs River Sub-catchment • Upper Nepean River Sub-catchment • Upper Wollondilly River Sub-catchment • Webbs Creek Sub-catchment • Werriberri Creek Sub-catchment • Wingecarribee River • Wolgan River Sub-catchment • Wollemi Creek Sub-catchment • Wollondilly River Sub-catchment

Appendix 4.3 Summary and maps of rapid reach assessment of values and threats 103 Appendix 4.4 Rapid reach assessment tools 129 Appendix 4.5 Flagship species associated with river reaches 139

viii HAWKESBURY NEPEAN CATCHMENT MANAGEMENT AUTHORITY LListist ooff TTablesables

Table A1 Focus on conservation river reaches 1 Table A2 Focus on assisted regeneration river reaches 3 Table A3 Focus on revegetation river reaches 4 Table A4 Rapid reach assessment tool- asset and threat rating scales 130 Table A5 Rapid reach assessment tool - river reach rating sheet 136 Table A6. Flagship species associated with river reaches. 139

LListist ooff FFiguresigures

Figure A1 Composite Reach Condition of River Reaches 5 Figure A2 Riparian Vegetation 109 Figure A3 River Condition 110 Figure A4 Geomorphic Recovery Potential 111 Figure A5 Sites of Environmental Signifi cance 112 Figure A6 Signifi cant Vegetaion Community 113 Figure A7 Swimming 114 Figure A8 Recreational Fishing 115 Figure A9 Non-Motor Boating 116 Figure A10 Motor Boating / Skiing 117 Figure A11 Scenic Quality 118 Figure A12 Irrigation Water Supply 119 Figure A13 Commercial Fishing 120 Figure A14 Tourism 121 Figure A15 Landuse 122 Figure A16 Damaging Access to Riparian Zones 123 Figure A17 Exotic Plant Species Riparian Woody Weeds 124 Figure A18 Pest Animals 125 Figure A19 Flow Regulation 126 Figure A20 Flow Modifi cation / Extraction 127

HAWKESBURY NEPEAN RIVER HEALTH STRATEGY ix x HAWKESBURY NEPEAN CATCHMENT MANAGEMENT AUTHORITY HAWKESBURY NEPEAN RIVER HEALTH STRATEGY km and15%oftotal riverlength. km upatotal of631 inthecatchment making There are category 41reaches inthefocus onconservation Focus onCONSERVATION river reaches categories. The reaches are showninFigure A1. Tables landsmanagementtheme ineachofthe3riparian A1,A2andA3listthereaches occurring Focus onREVEGETATION • Focus onASSISTEDREGENERATION • Focus onCONSERVATION • 2.4). are: landmanagementcategories The three riparian been identifi ed river for reaches assessed inthisstrategy (seedetaileddiscussionin Volume 1,section This Appendixliststhereaches according to thathave landmanagementcategories thethree riparian mmanagement themecategories 44.1 ucthetRahnm Sbacmn Reachname Subcatchment JocksR1 Condon R2 Wolgan R1 Wheeny R2 Wollondilly River Left ArmR1 Reach name Wollemi Creek Wolgan River Farmers R1, NattaiR2 Colo River River Lett R1 Subcatchment Webbs Creek KedumbaR1 Swamp Boggy R1, riverRare channeltypesingoodcondition withhighrecovery potential CkR2 Katoomba UpperCoxs River Reachname Wheeny R1 Coxs Mid River Macdonald River Nattai LittleCattai R1 Lower Coxs Grose River Subcatchment Coco R1 Colo River R1 Marramarra Bargo R1 Cattai Creek Reachname River Capertee Berowra Creek Bargo River Subcatchment orwhollyoutsidereserved lands reaches partly Near intact . AT4 Appendices PART 4 1 a n

RRiver reaches inriparianlands a i v g e e r m

r e e potential degraded withalow recovery only –downstream is section ofreachUpstream section (Channel Wetland) Womerah R1 Palomorang R1, Macdonald R1, n a c t

h t h e e s

m i n e

r

c i p pe osRvrUpper Coxs R2 Upper Coxs River a a t e r i g a o n r

i l e a s n d Wolgan TribR1 Upper Coxs R1 Marangaroo R1, potential degraded withalow recovery only –downstream is section ofreachUpstream section (Chain ofPonds) s

Appendix 4.1

1 River reaches in riparian lands management theme Reaches in good condition with very high or high recovery potential

Subcatchment Reach name Subcatchment Reach name

Bargo River Bargo R2 Mid Coxs Megalong Ck R1, Mid Coxs R2

Berowra Creek Tunks R1 Mooney Mooney Creek Little Mooney Mooney R1, Mooney Mooney R1 Capertee River Coco R2

Cowan/Pittwater McCarrs R1 Upper Nepean River Upper Nepean R1

Erskine Creek Bedford R1 Upper Wollondilly River Fenwicks/Sooley R2

Grose River Govetts Leap Brook R1, Wollondilly River Jocks Ck R2, Govetts Creek R1, Paddys R3 Grose R1, Katoomba R1, Wentworth Ck R1

Table A1: Focus on conservation river reaches

Focus on ASSISTED REGENERATION river reaches There are 83 reaches in the focus on assisted regeneration category in the catchment making up a total of 1384km and 34% of total river length

Reaches in good condition with moderate or low recovery potential

Subcatchment Reach name Subcatchment Reach name

Capertee Capertee R3, Upper Coxs Farmers R2 Capertee R5

Colo Colo R1 Upper Nepean Cataract R2, Upper Nepen R4

Kowmung Tuglow R4, Wingecarribee Wingecarribee R3 Hollanders R2

Mid Coxs Beef Steak Creek R2, Wolgan Wolgan R3 Jenolan R3, Jocks R2, Wollondilly Lower Wollondilly R2, Little River R2 Lower Wollondilly R3, Tarlo R2, Woolshed Creek R2

Nepean Nepean R3, Nepean R5

2 HAWKESBURY NEPEAN CATCHMENT MANAGEMENT AUTHORITY HAWKESBURY NEPEAN RIVER HEALTH STRATEGY Table A2: Focus onassisted regeneration reaches river omn Tuglow R1, HNER1, name NepeanR2 Hawkesbury Kowmung R1, Cockle Subcatchment LtCattai R2, HN Estuary Hawkesbury Berowra R1, Cowan/Pittwater Reachname Cattai Creek Berowra JenolanR1, Subcatchment Reaches indegraded condition withmoderate togoodriparianvegetation cover Mangrove R1 HollandersR1, Cascade R1, Coxs Mid Mangrove Kowmung Cowan R2, Colo R2 Reachname Grose Cattai R1, Subcatchment Cowan Berowra R2, Colo Cattai Reachname Creek Berowra Subcatchment Reaches inmoderate condition withmoderate togoodriparianvegetation cover oa 1SuhEastern R3, Tuglow R3 South HNER3 HNER2, Cowan R1 R2 O’Haras Colah R1 Calna R1, River Lett R2 CoxsMid R1, Little River R3, Jocks R1, Jenolan R2, Tuglow R2 Grose R2 Greaves CkR1, Pittwater Lovers JumpR2, Cowan tidal, R1 O’Haras Cattai R2, Calna R2 Berowra tidal, eb Webbs tidal Pipers Flat R1 Webbs NepeanR1, Upper Coxs BeefSteak CkR1, Nepean Coxs Mid Guineacor CkR2, Putty R2 Wingecarribee R2 Werriberri R1, Webbs R2 Wollondilly Wollemi Wingecarribee Werriberri RopesR3 Farmers R4, Webbs R2, Mooney Mooney Upper Coxs South Mooney Mooney South R2 South Ropes R4, Nepean R6 Nepean R4, Nepean R2, Little River R1 Paddy’s R2 Werriberri R2 Upper Coxs R4 Upper Coxs R2, Thompsons R1, Marangaroo R3, Marangaroo R2, tidal Mooney Mooney

Appendix 4.1

3 River reaches in riparian lands management theme Focus on REVEGETATION river reaches There are 48 reaches in the focus on revegetation category in the catchment making up a total of 696km and 17% of total river length.

Reaches in moderate condition with little or no riparian vegetation cover

Subcatchments Reach name Subcatchment Reach name

Capertee Capertee R2, Upper Wollondilly Kialla Ck R1, Red Rock R2 Upper Wollondilly R1, Upper Wollondilly R2 Colo Wheeny R2

Kowmung Browns R2 Wollemi Gibbs R1

Macdonald Big Boree R2, Wollondilly Guineacor Ck R1, Big Yengo R2 Lower Wollondilly R1, Paddy’s R1, Mangrove Mangrove tidal Woolshed Ck R1 Mulwaree Mulwaree R2, Quialigo R1

Upper Nepean Upper Nepean R2

Reaches in degraded condition with little or no riparian vegetation cover

Subcatchment Reach name Subcatchment Reach name

Capertee Capertee R4, Upper Coxs Farmers R3, Coco R3 Upper Coxs R3

Cowan/Pittwater Lovers Jump R1 Upper Wollondilly Fenwicks/Sooley R1, Fenwicks/Sooley R3, Hawkesbury Hawkesbury Nepean R1 Pejar R1 Kowmung Browns R1

Macdonald Macdonald R2, Upper Wollondilly Upper Wollondilly R3, Macdonald tidal, Upper Wollondilly R4 Melon R2, Womerah R2 Webbs Webbs R3 Wingecarribee Wingecarribee R1

Mulwaree Chain Of Ponds R1, Wolgan Wolgan R2, Mulwaree R1, Wolgan Trib R2 Mulwaree R3 Wollondilly Tarlo R1 Nattai Nattai R1

South Eastern R1, Eastern R2, Ropes R1, Ropes R2, South R1

Table A3: Focus on revegetation river reaches

4 HAWKESBURY NEPEAN CATCHMENT MANAGEMENT AUTHORITY HAWKESBURY NEPEAN RIVER HEALTH STRATEGY Fig. A1 CComposite reach oof river reaches o f m

r ccondition i o p v n o e r d s

i r i t t e e i a o

r c n e h a e c s h

Appendix 4.1

5 River reaches in riparian lands management theme 6 6 HAWKESBURY NEPEAN CATCHMENT MANAGEMENT AUTHORITY HAWKESBURY NEPEAN RIVER HEALTH STRATEGY – Institutional (I)–suchasenvironmental Institutional fl owsorwater quality – environmental orgovernment (M)-suchasthepromotion Monitoring ofcommunity monitoring – Educational(E)–suchastheprovision oftraining orinformation – Planning (P)–suchasthedevelopment planningpolicies ofmanagementplansorgovernment – landmanagementworks –suchasriparian Works (W) on-ground – The recommended are reach as: categorised managementactions planning for health. river canalsobeusedasaninitialreferenceThe subcatchment managementsummaries for subcatchment asthesereaches weremanagement actions notassessedfor theStrategy (see Volume 1.4.1). 1,section approach andhave nootherdetaileddiscussionofassociated values/threatsa conservation or subcatchments are listed landsrequire reaches attheendofeachtable. outsidereserved Nearintact river reaches. ineachofthe concern landsandcreeks reaches ofcommunity inreserved Nearintact to begin amore detailedplanningprocess to design ordevelop more specifi or works cactions for of theStrategy (see pointforVolume naturalresource 2.3)andprovide astarting 1,section managers byotherorganisations. undertaken reflThe managementactions Management theeight ect Themes thatcanbeimplemented bytheHNCMA thatcanbe actions a rangeofotheron-ground andactions andinclude landmanagementactions beyond riparian extend The suggested managementactions in 2001a), asdescribed Volume 1.4. 1,section Nepean(New South Streams ofLandand Wales oftheHawkesbury Department Water Conservation, process, of Categorisation based onthereaches oftheGeomorphic thatwere aspart categorised aresubcatchment oftheStrategy summaries rapid assessment onlythosethatwere assessedaspart areThe subcatchment summaries presented inalphabeticalorder. The reaches includedinthe Areach managementrecommendations tablecontainingtheidentifi edvaluesandthreats for each • ofthesubcatchment valuesandthreats characteristics, Asummary • oftheStrategy andthe Amapofthesubcatchment showingeachofthereaches assessedaspart • oftheStrategy eachofwhichincludes: contains 30subcatchmentThis section summaries mmanagement summaries 44.2 Subcatchment andreach . or legislation are containedinAppendix4.4) reach andasuggested suite (Defi ofmanagementactions. nitionsofvaluesandthreats inthe tables for thosereaches landmanagementcategory riparian 2 a n

S a u g b e c m a t e c n h t m

s e u n m t m

a n a d r i

e r e s a c h

7 Appendix 4.2 Subcatchment summaries 8 8 HAWKESBURY NEPEAN CATCHMENT MANAGEMENT AUTHORITY HAWKESBURY NEPEAN RIVER HEALTH STRATEGY activities ofthe activities Tahmoor Park Landcare Group. based environmental Creek includeaPrivetSome ofthecommunity andthe activities Project Removal onMyrtle Forest). to thisarea. anEndangered Ecological (Sydney Community The Bargo alsosupports River Turpentine Ironbark signifi cantplantspecies( The Bargo subcatchment islargely anditsgulliesgorges undisturbed are amongthesteepest inNSW. A ofresidential onriverhealthaswell.impacts development impact developments neartheBargowith someruralandperi-urban township. ofbushfi frequency Increased re and pose possiblethreats to thehealthofreaches inthissubcatchment. Muchofthesubcatchment isbushland, Off lands inthesubcatchment. zone.to theriparian Picton Weir upstream isalsohaving anegative eff anddamaging access impacts condition, whileBargo somedegradation R2isexperiencing from miningactivity contains2reaches separated bytheBargoIt reservoir. Reach1,Bargo R1,isconsidered to beinnear intact Nepeancatchment. oftheHawkesbury The Bargo subcatchment River isthesmallestsubcatchment (130.70km2) -stream landusepressures suchaseffl Persoonia bargoensis uent ponds, intensive farming, service stations and mining activities uent ponds, stationsandminingactivities intensive farming, service ) hasbeenidentifi edintheBargo subcatchment andis restricted ect onthisreach. ect There are noreserved

Bargo River Subcatchment

9 Appendix 4.2 Subcatchment summaries Bargo River sh passage (W) points and along foreshores (P,W) points and along foreshores quality (M) (E) restoration fi - barriers to (P) riparian vegetation remnant protect protect remnant riparian vegetation (P) riparian vegetation remnant protect • access river Manage human impacts at public recreation • water values - recreational of recreational Maintenance • environmental Increase community capacity for • and connectivity habitat condition improvement Aquatic • conservation to Develop management agreements (Planning, Education, Works, Monitoring, Institutional) Monitoring, Works, Education, (Planning, • conservation to Develop management agreements Reserve Road) River on Bargo • at Council (human access access Damaging • Weir) functioning (Picton ecosystem Barriers to • River bed cracking shing – a threatened – a threatened agship species - ed fl ed community cant vegetation Persoonia bargoensis Persoonia species. (Sydney Turpentine Ironbark Forest) Ironbark Turpentine (Sydney • fi recreational Popular • swimming (Mermaids Pool) Popular • Identifi Reach ValuesReach Threats Reach recommendations Reach management • condition Good river • High potential geomorphic recovery • Signifi Riparian Land Management Category Conservation • Good riparian vegetation (Near Intact outside reserve) Description Bargo ReservoirBargo Reach Name Reach Bargo R1Bargo R2Bargo below From Conservation Reach Management Recommendations – Bargo River Subcatchment River – Bargo Recommendations Reach Management

10 10 HAWKESBURY NEPEAN CATCHMENT MANAGEMENT AUTHORITY HAWKESBURY NEPEAN RIVER HEALTH STRATEGY creeks ofthesubcatchment. inthesubcatchment isgenerallypoor.quality Signifi occursinthe basedenvironment cantcommunity activity subcatchment, oneon Waitara Creek in West Hornsby, andtheotheronCalnaCreek Heights. inHornsby Water The headwaters drainruralandresidential areas. Two STP’s oftheBerowra discharge into waterways whilesomeoftheupperreaches are locatedReserve), inBerowra Regional Park. Much ofthelower NationalPark reaches Nature are andMuogamarra land(Marramarra located withinreserved subcatchment, with40%ofthetotal stream lengthhaving tidalinfl uences. flsubcatchments to theeast.It river It isatidal Estuary. sideoftheHawkesbury into ows directly thesouthern The Berowra Creek subcatchment theCattaisubcatchment liesbetween to thewest andCowan/Pittwater

Berowra Creek Subcatchment

11 Appendix 4.2 Subcatchment summaries Berowra Creek points and along foreshores (E,W)points and along foreshores (P,W) (E,P) (P,W) (E) restoration • (W) riparian vegetation of exotic Removal/replacement • access river Manage human impacts at public recreation • Management of aquatic weeds • and connectivity habitat condition improvement Aquatic • quality Urban water and sediment management (I,W) • activity Maintain existing community based environment • and connectivity habitat condition improvement Aquatic • (W) riparian vegetation of exotic Removal/replacement • quality Urban water and sediment management (P,W) • environmental Increase community capacity for (Planning, Education, Works, Monitoring, Institutional) Monitoring, Works, Education, (Planning,

for wetland cial in-stream is channel - half the reach ed / engineered channel (West ed / engineered Hornsby concrete controlled) quality nutrients and sediments increase hydrology, alter quality. in poor water resulting stormwater detention detention stormwater STP discharge point) STP discharge • Modifi • and willow – privet invasion Highweed woody • (now weed - Alligator outbreaks weed Aquatic • and human) (stock access Damaging • functioning ecosystem Barriers to • run off quality water – stormwater Poor • Urban impacts – sedimentation and poor water • impact – urban impacts downstream Has severe • artifi large Note: • Modifi • functioning ecosystem Barriers to • densities in low present and privet weed Crofton quality • Water • Urbanisation and sediment impacts shing agship species agship agship species – Blue ed fl ed ed fl ed community cant vegetation Gum High Forest groups bushcare (Australian Bass) (Australian • Good riparian vegetation • Identifi • activity Community – Streamwatch, • this reach follows Walk North Great • Good riparian vegetation • Signifi • fi recreational Popular • Identifi Reach ValuesReach Threats Reach recommendations Reach management Assisted Assisted Regeneration Assisted Assisted Regeneration Riparian Land Management Category urban area and urban area down headwater the tidal limit to section of Creek Berowra to down Boundary Rd at Cherrybrook Description Berowra R2Berowra end of From Berowra R1Berowra Headwater Reach Name Reach Reach Management Recommendations – Berowra Creek Subcatchment Creek – Berowra Recommendations Reach Management

12 12 HAWKESBURY NEPEAN CATCHMENT MANAGEMENT AUTHORITY HAWKESBURY NEPEAN RIVER HEALTH STRATEGY Reach Management Recommendations – Berowra Creek Subcatchment

Reach Name Reach Riparian Land Reach Values Reach Threats Reach management recommendations Description Management (Planning, Education, Works, Monitoring, Institutional) Category

Berowra Tidal Tidal sections of Assisted • Good riparian vegetation • Water quality • Water quality / nutrient management (I) Berowra Creek Regeneration • Wetlands of regional or state • Urbanisation impacts – sedimentation • Urban water quality and sediment management (P,W) – including signifi cance (SREP 20 Wetlands) • QX Disease (Oysters) • Maintenance of recreational values – recreational water tidal section • Marramarra National Park quality (M) of Marramarra • Signifi cant vegetation community • Manage human impacts at public recreation river access Creek and (Sydney Swamp Forest; Sydney points and along foreshores (P,W) other Berowra Turpentine Ironbark Forest; Coastal • Increase community capacity for environmental Tributaries. Freshwater Lagoon; Estuarine restoration (E) Saltmarsh • Riparian wetland management (P,W) • Popular recreational fi shing • Popular motor boating • Popular non-motor boating • Popular swimming • High public recreation access (Berowra Waters and Crosslands) • Identifi ed fl agship species – Sydney Rock Oyster • River based tourism contributes to regional economy • Commercial fi shing (Prawn Trawling)

Calna R1 Short headwater Assisted • Good riparian vegetation • Modifi ed / engineered channel - half the reach is • Removal/replacement of exotic riparian vegetation (W) section of Calna Regeneration • Scenic quality concrete • Management of aquatic weeds Creek running • Benowie Walking Track • High woody weed invasion – privet • Manage human impacts at public recreation river access from ridge at Mt • Aquatic weed outbreaks – Salvinia molesta in points and along foreshores (E,W) Ku-ring-gai for dams around creek • Urban water quality and sediment management (I,W) approx. 500 m • Damaging access – walking tracks • Increase community capacity for environmental to boundary of • Urban impacts – water quality and quantity restoration (E) National Park. • Severe downstream impact – urban impacts alter hydrology, increase nutrients and sediments resulting in poor water quality

13 Appendix 4.2 Subcatchment summaries Berowra Creek practices in riparian lands (E) (E,W)points and along foreshores (E) restoration (P) riparian vegetation remnant protect (P) riparian vegetation remnant protect (E,W,P) (E) restoration points and along foreshores (E,W)points and along foreshores (E) restoration • Management of aquatic weeds • Management impacts of stock on waterways (W) • adoption of sustainable land management Encourage • access river Manage human impacts at public recreation • quality Rural water and sediment management (I,W) • environmental Increase community capacity for section Bottom in Marramarra NP. • conservation to Develop management agreements section in National Park. Bottom of reach • conservation to Develop management agreements • dams – in catchment Management of aquatic weeds • management - quantity and quality (I) Water • quality Urban water and sediment management (I,W) • environmental Increase community capacity for • quality Urban water and sediment management (P,W) • access river Manage human impacts at public recreation • environmental Increase community capacity for (Planning, Education, Works, Monitoring, Institutional) Monitoring, Works, Education, (Planning, in in Salvinia molesta market gardens from Salvinia molesta in-line dams ed channel – numerous dams farm dams in catchment) nutrient issues. dams. dams crossings Track Benowie quarryingsubdivision and sandstone and impactsassociated crossings) • (Salvinia in outbreaks aquatic weed Occasional • extraction Flow (drinkingquality water) • Water • – sediment and Subdivision in catchment Triggers Action • – Salvinia in catchment threat immediate Severe • – horses in headwaters, access Damaging • quality water – run-off Poor • increased Urban impacts for – potential Triggers Action • – threat immediate Severe • Creek (Human - Benowie access Damaging • Urbanisation – sediment and nutrient impacts • Modifi • – outbreaks weed Aquatic shing agship species (Blue agship species agship agship species agship y) ed fl ed ed fl ed fl ed community cant vegetation supply cant irrigation water Gum High Forest; Adams Emerald Adams Gum High Forest; Dragonfl (Australian Bass) (Australian scale horticulture and – commercial nurseries and those – diamond python with Marramarraassociated NP • condition Good river • High potential geomorphic recovery • Identifi • Good riparian vegetation • Signifi • fi recreational Popular • Identifi • Good riparian vegetation • Signifi • Identifi Triggers Action Reach ValuesReach Threats Reach recommendations Reach management Conservation (Near Intact partly outside reserves – top section) Conservation • Good riparian vegetation Assisted Assisted Regeneration Assisted Assisted Regeneration Riparian Land Management Category junction with Creek Berowra junction with Marramarra (lower Creek section through Marramarra NP) From end of From and urban area down headwater the tidal limit to National through Park Description Marramarra R1 R1Tunks length to Entire Colah R1Colah length to Entire Calna R2 Calna Reach Name Reach Reach Management Recommendations – Berowra Creek Subcatchment Creek – Berowra Recommendations Reach Management

14 14 HAWKESBURY NEPEAN CATCHMENT MANAGEMENT AUTHORITY HAWKESBURY NEPEAN RIVER HEALTH STRATEGY restore habitat for Honeyeater. theRegent Signifi occursinthevalleyandalarge basedenvironment hasbeeninitiated project cantcommunity to activity promoting erosion anddegrading water quality. and sheeterosion inthevalley. Willows isalsoasignifi are andsalinity invading thewaterways cantthreat, this sedimentinputisahighpriority. Large volumes ofsedimentare asaresult alsobeing contributed ofgully high sedimentloadsdegrading theColo downstream River thatfl owsthrough National Wollemi Reducing Park. high environmental signifi erosionRiverbank cance. of andbedincisioninthevalleyhasbeenamajorcontributor 2ofRedRockCreek R4),Reach (Red (Capertee River rare category, river the The valleycontainsavery Lateral”“Meandering rivercategory, inReach4oftheCapertee generally highlydegraded inthesesettledareas. Blue Mountains World Area. Heritage The valley fl are of grazing andthewaterways oorhashadalonghistory subcatchment lieswithinthe Wollemi NationalPark oftheGreater andGardens ofStone NationalPark, part LargeRylstone. sandstone cliff Nepeanfrom theCentral separatesGreat theHawkesbury DividingRange West catchment nearthetown of Nepeancatchment. oftheHawkesbury The boundary subcatchment River liesonthenorth-west The Capertee s rim thevalleywhilefls rim oorislargely shale. Approximately 50%of the Rock R2),andReach3ofCoco Creek (Coco R3),whichis of

Capertee River Subcatchment

15 Appendix 4.2 Subcatchment summaries Capertee River management (I) ow management (I) ow management (I) ow practices in riparian lands (E) (P,W) (E,P) (P) riparian vegetation remnant protect practices in riparian lands (E) (P,W) (E,P) (P) riparian vegetation remnant protect (P) riparian vegetation remnant protect (Planning, Education, Works, Monitoring, Institutional) Monitoring, Works, Education, (Planning, • Management impacts of stock on waterways (W) • adoption of sustainable land management Encourage • and connectivity habitat condition improvement Aquatic • quantity / fl Water • (W) Channel bed or bank stabilisation works • activity Maintain existing community based environment • (W) with indigenous riparian vegetation Revegetation • quantity / fl Water • conservation to Develop management agreements • (W) with indigenous riparian vegetation Revegetation • Management impact of stock on waterways (W) • adoption of sustainable land management Encourage • and connectivity habitat condition improvement Aquatic • quantity / fl Water • (W) Channel bed or bank stabilisation works • activity Maintain existing community based environment National Wollemi section in of reach Downstream Park. • conservation to Develop management agreements Reach mainly in National Park. • conservation to Develop management agreements as it in this reach ed threats cation / extraction cant identifi cant sedimentation from erosion in this reach) erosion sedimentation from Lateral) Heritage World sedimentation of downstream River) – Colo Area is a gorge not used for grazing, unlike the reaches unlike the reaches grazing, not used for is a gorge up and downstream. • (stock) access Damaging • functioning ecosystem Barriers to extraction • Flow Triggers Action • downstream impacts (severe downstream Severe modifi • Flow signifi • No • damage stock – severe access Damaging • functioning ecosystem Barriers to extraction • Flow • banks of unprotected erosion Massive • and incision Bed lowering • bank erosion from Sedimentation of reach Triggers Action • category river (Meandering Rare or threatened • impacts causing (erosion downstream Severe agship species (World agship species (Regent agship species (Regent ed fl ed community cant vegetation program cant environmental cant community based community cant vegetation community cant vegetation program cant environmental cant community based tied to fl tied to Honeyeater) activity (Capertee environment Group) Catchment Valley Heritage Area) (Meandering Lateral) fl tied to Project) Honeyeater activity (Capertee environment Group) Catchment Valley Reach ValuesReach Threats Reach recommendations Reach management • Signifi • Signifi • Good riparian vegetation • condition Good river • Signifi • Identifi • Signifi • Signifi • Signifi Revegetation • Signifi Riparian Land Management Category Assisted Assisted Regeneration Revegetation • category river Rare or threatened Assisted Regeneration (In National Park) Conservation (mainly in National Park) Creek to just to Creek of downstream Angle’ ‘Capertee Glen Davis to junction with in Creek Wollemi National Park in National gorge Park National Park National Park boundary to Oaky Creek junction. Description Capertee R2 Wollemi From Capertee R3 Oaky From Capertee R4 Capertee Angle Capertee R5 to Glen Davis R1Coco and Headwaters Reach Name Reach Reach Management Recommendations – Capertee River Subcatchment – Capertee River Recommendations Reach Management

16 16 HAWKESBURY NEPEAN CATCHMENT MANAGEMENT AUTHORITY HAWKESBURY NEPEAN RIVER HEALTH STRATEGY Reach Management Recommendations – Capertee River Subcatchment Reach Name Reach Riparian Land Reach Values Reach Threats Reach management recommendations Description Management (Planning, Education, Works, Monitoring, Institutional) Category

Coco R2 From National Conservation • Good riparian vegetation • Damaging access • Develop conservation management agreements to Park boundary to • Wetlands of regional signifi cance • High woody weed invasion –previously protect remnant riparian vegetation (P) junction with Red • Popular recreational fi shing signifi cant invasion of black willows now under • Management of stock impacts on waterways (W) Rock Creek • Popular swimming active control program – ongoing monitoring • Encourage adoption of sustainable land use practices in • River based tourism contributes to and maintenance will be required riparian lands (P,E) regional economy • Removal/replacement of exotic riparian vegetation (W) • Signifi cant community based • Riparian wetland management (P,W) environment restoration activity • Maintain existing community based environment activity • Highly successful partnership – provision of incentives (E,P) between Friends of Colo community • Maintenance of recreational values – recreational water group, NPWS & Environmental Trust quality (M) removing black willows • Flagship species – numbers of signifi cant fauna species associated with this reach and adjacent World Heritage Area

Coco R3 From junction Revegetation • Rare or threatened river category • Damaging access – severe stock damage • Revegetation with indigenous riparian vegetation (W) with Red Rock (Meandering Lateral) • Barriers to ecosystem functioning • Management of stock impact on waterways (W) Creek to Capertee • Signifi cant vegetation community • Flow extraction • Encourage adoption of sustainable land management River junction • Signifi cant environmental program • Massive erosion of unprotected banks practices in riparian lands (E) tied to fl agship species (Regent • Bed lowering and incision • Aquatic habitat condition and connectivity improvement Honeyeater Project) • Sedimentation of reach from bank erosion (P,W) • Signifi cant community based • Water quantity / fl ow management (I) environment activity (Capertee Action Triggers • Channel bed or bank stabilisation works (W) Valley Catchment Group) • Rare or threatened river category (Meandering • Maintain existing community based environment activity Lateral) (E,P) • Severe downstream impacts (erosion causing downstream sedimentation of World Heritage Area – Colo River)

Red Rock R2 Partly confi ned Revegetation • Signifi cant vegetation community • Damaging access (stock) • Management of stock impacts on waterways (W) and fl oodout • Rare or threatened river category • Barriers to ecosystem functioning • Encourage adoption of sustainable land management reaches starting (Meandering Lateral) • Flow extraction practices in riparian lands (E) at Red Rodk Flat • Aquatic habitat condition and connectivity improvement down to junction Action Triggers (P,W) with Coco Creek • Rare or threatened river category (Meandering • Water quantity / fl ow management (I) Lateral) • Increase community capacity for environmental restoration (E) • Revegetation with indigenous riparian vegetation (W)

Near Intact reaches within Reserved Lands: Red Rock R1, Capertee R1.

17 Appendix 4.2 Subcatchment summaries Capertee River 18 18 HAWKESBURY NEPEAN CATCHMENT MANAGEMENT AUTHORITY HAWKESBURY NEPEAN RIVER HEALTH STRATEGY undertaken on the creek. onthecreek. undertaken involved hasalsobeen willoweradication project Alarge-scale education anderadicationproject. inaprivet Signifi onCattaiCreek with alocalLandcare isoccurring basedenvironment cantcommunity group activity channel engineering. recovery. Creek waspreviously O’Haras aChainofPonds thathasbeentransformed byhydrological changes and and changesto catchment surfaces. This hasaltered andislimitingthepotential channelform for andfunction Privet and Willows. The hydrology ofthissubcatchment has beengreatly altered dueto increased urbanisation zone threat poseaserious toin theriparian patches ofrelatively healthy woody vegetation. weeds Major include urbanisation. Water ispoordueto stormwater quality andSTPdischarges into thesemajorcreeks. Woody weeds Creeks areCattai andO’Haras beingdegraded byincreased sedimentationasaresult oftheupstream River. to the healthoftheHawkesbury Cattai Creek important isextremely aquatically biodiverse creek in Western Sydney. from River Little The cleanwater to contributed theHawkesbury upper reaches ofLittleCattaiCreek conditionandLittle CattaiCreek are isconsidered innearintact to bethemost to CattaiCreek hydrological having adistinct subcatchment butisnotatributary catchment. The headwaters and North West Creeks. intheupperreaches Sector ofCattaiandO’Haras LittleCattaiCreek isincludedinthis The CattaiCreek subcatchment drainssignifi cantareas development ofSydney’s ofnewandongoingurban

Cattai Creek Subcatchment

19 Appendix 4.2 Subcatchment summaries Cattai Creek management (I) ow (P,W) riparian lands (P,E) (E,W)points and along foreshores (P,E) riparian lands (P,E) (E,W)points and along foreshores (P,W) (P,E) (P) riparian vegetation remnant protect • and connectivity habitat condition improvement Aquatic • (W) riparian vegetation of exotic Removal/replacement • (P,I,E) Management of aquatic weeds • Management impacts of stock on waterways (W) • adoption of sustainable land use practices Encourage in • access river Manage human impacts at public recreation • quantity / fl Water • quality / nutrient management (I) Water • quality Urban water and sediment management (P,W) • activity Maintain existing community based environment • (I,P,W) Management of aquatic weeds • Management impacts of stock on waterways (W) • adoption of sustainable land use practices Encourage in • access river Manage human impacts at public recreation • (W) riparian vegetation of exotic Removal/replacement • and connectivity habitat condition improvement Aquatic • management (P,W) Riparian wetland • quality Urban water and sediment management (P,I,W) • quality Rural water and sediment management (P,W) • activity Maintain existing community based environment • conservation to Develop management agreements (Planning, Education, Works, Monitoring, Institutional) Monitoring, Works, Education, (Planning, channel (localised) ed / engineered c points) c and road crossings) and road siltation, aquatic weeds Tea) aquatic weeds specifi • functioning (causeways ecosystem Barriers to extraction • Flow • and stormwater quality – STPs Water • Urbanisation – sediment and nutrient issues Triggers Action • impact quality, – water downstream Severe • (Salvinia and Senegal outbreaks weed Aquatic • and humans) (stock access Damaging • functioning ecosystem Barriers to extraction • Flow quality • Water • Urbanisation – sediment and nutrient issues Triggers Action • impact quality; – water downstream Severe • Modifi • (mainly privet) invasion Highweed woody • (Salvinia) outbreaks weed Aquatic • at and human access (stock access Damaging shing agship species (Platypus, ed fl ed community cant vegetation supply cant irrigation water cant community based community cant vegetation supply cant irrigation water cant community based Wetlands) (SREP 20 cance (Cumberland Shale Sandstone Shale Sandstone (Cumberland Turpentine Forest; Transition Forest) Ironbark Bridge Reserve Cattai National Park, and Mitchell Park) Gliders) Bellied and Greater Yellow activity environment (Cumberland Shale Sandstone Shale Sandstone (Cumberland Forest) Transition activity environment signifi • National Park Cattai • Signifi • fi recreational Popular • boating non-motor Popular • (Cattai access High public recreation • Identifi • Signifi • Signifi • Good riparian vegetation • Signifi • Signifi • Signifi • Good riparian vegetation • or state of regional Wetlands Reach ValuesReach Threats Reach recommendations Reach management Assisted Assisted Regeneration Conservation (Near Intact outside reserve) Assisted Assisted Regeneration Riparian Land Management Category uence with uence oodplain Maraylya to to Maraylya confl Hawkesbury River down gorge to fl sectionwetland Castle Hill Castle to Rd Town Pitt Maraylya Description Cattai R2Cattai Rd Town Pitt R1Little Cattai and Headwater Cattai R1Cattai in Headwaters Reach Name Reach Reach Management Recommendations – Cattai Creek Subcatchment Creek – Cattai Recommendations Reach Management

20 20 HAWKESBURY NEPEAN CATCHMENT MANAGEMENT AUTHORITY HAWKESBURY NEPEAN RIVER HEALTH STRATEGY Reach Management Recommendations – Cattai Creek Subcatchment

Reach Name Reach Riparian Land Reach Values Reach Threats Reach management recommendations Description Management (Planning, Education, Works, Monitoring, Institutional) Category

Little Cattai R2 Floodplain Assisted • Good riparian vegetation • Damaging access, mainly stock • Management of stock impacts on waterways (W) wetland from Regeneration • Wetlands of regional signifi cance • Poor water quality – nutrients from rural • Encourage adoption of sustainable land management downstream – Broadwater Swamp and industrial run off from tributaries with practices in riparian lands (E) end of gorge to • Rare or threatened river category headwaters along ridges e.g Kelly’s Creek • Rural water quality and sediment management (W) confl uence with - channel wetlands • High level of community activity and concern • Riparian wetland management Hawkesbury River • Signifi cant vegetation community – RAMSAR nomination being considered • Increase community capacity for environmental • Popular recreational fi shing restoration (E) • Signifi cant irrigation water supply Action Triggers • Flagship species - most aquatically • Severe immediate threat – in headwater - sand biodiverse creek in Western Sydney, mining impacting on base fl ows and future along with Orchard Creek in South subdivision Creek catchment – UBBS, Eastern Grey kangaroos

O’Haras R1 Headwaters Assisted • Good riparian vegetation • Barriers to ecosystem functioning • Aquatic habitat condition and connectivity improvement down to Scaly Regeneration • Signifi cant vegetation community • Flow extraction (P,W) Bark Creek (Sydney Coastal River Flat Forest) • Water quality • Water management - quality and quantity (I,W) • Identifi ed fl agship species • Threat from garden escape weeds • Increase community capacity for environmental (Wallabies, Koalas, Platypus, restoration (E) Turpentine Forest)

O’Haras R2 Scaly Bark Creek Assisted • Good riparian vegetation • Localised modifi ed / engineered channel • Riparian wetland management to Cattai Creek Regeneration • Wetlands of regional signifi cance • Aquatic weed outbreaks • Management of aquatic weeds (P,W) including Long – Long Swamp. One side currently • Damaging access – humans, stock (including • Management of stock impacts on waterways (W) Swamp in single ownership and in good goats and alpaca), roads and weirs associated • Encourage adoption of sustainable land management condition. with extractive industries (sand and stone), 4WD practices in riparian lands (E) & rural residential • Rural water quality and sediment management (W) • Barriers to ecosystem functioning - causeways • Aquatic habitat condition and connectivity improvement and road crossings, weirs associated with (P,W) extraction industry • Increase community capacity for environmental • Poor water quality – nutrient and sediment from restoration (E) rural, rural residential and industry run-off

Creeks of Community Concern: Blue Gum Creek, Second Ponds Creek.

21 Appendix 4.2 Subcatchment summaries Cattai Creek 22 22 HAWKESBURY NEPEAN CATCHMENT MANAGEMENT AUTHORITY HAWKESBURY NEPEAN RIVER HEALTH STRATEGY the Friends landholders. withprivate ofColo group underway management projects and25riverbank a signifi cant volume of clean waterriver. to the through There environmental isconsiderable community activity western Sydney. asitsupplies River to thehealthofHawkesbury This subcatchment important isextremely popularfor swimmingasitisoneofthecleanestwater sitesthe Colo isvery within anhourfrom River north isworld-renowned. anditsscenicbeauty the secondlongestsandstone gorge onearth The lower reach of The Colo isacatchment River withwildandscenic values. This uniquesandstone gorge isbelieved to be quality. inthe downstream impact World ofsedimentsanddecreased Area, Heritage water mainlythrough thedelivery subcatchments)River fl agriculture, owintoRiver the subcatchment whichiscausing Colo andthesesupport conditiondueto thelackofdisturbance. Capertee, intact WolganThree and majorsubcatchments (The Wollemi reaches of theriver bydeepsandstone gorges areThis subcatchment ischaracterised andthemajority innear oftheGreater BlueMountains National Park, part World Area. Heritage Colo confl River River at Lower uencewiththeHawkesbury 80%ofthissubcatchment isinPortland. Wollemi and oftheCapertee fromThe Colo subcatchment River extends to thejunction Wolgan the intheNorth Rivers

Colo River Subcatchment

23 Appendix 4.2 Subcatchment summaries Colo River riparian lands (P,E) (E,P) of incentives – provision quality (M) protect remnant riparian vegetation (P) riparian vegetation remnant protect practices in riparian lands (E) (E) restoration • Management impacts of stock on waterways (W) • adoption of sustainable land use practices Encourage in • (W) riparian vegetation of exotic Removal/replacement • management (P,W) Riparian wetland • activity Maintain existing community based environment • water values – recreational of recreational Maintenance Most of reach within National Park. Most of reach • conservation to Develop management agreements Entire reach within Wollemi National Park Wollemi within reach Entire • Management impacts of stock on waterways (W) • adoption of sustainable land management Encourage • (W) riparian vegetation of exotic Removal/replacement • management Riparian wetland • environmental Increase community capacity for • values (M) of recreational Maintenance • (W) with indigenous riparian vegetation Revegetation within National Park. reach Entire (Planning, Education, Works, Monitoring, Institutional) Monitoring, Works, Education, (Planning, under now of black willows cant invasion signifi – ongoing monitoring program active control will be required and maintenance particularly areas) in swampy damaging Arundo donax) • Damaging access • Damaging • – previously invasion High weed woody • section of reach, in lower (stock access Damaging • Blackberry, (Bamboo, invasion Highweed woody • soils acid sulfate Potential cance cance cance shing shing agship species (Diamond ed fl ed cant community based cant fauna species associated regional economy regional activity restoration environment community of Colo Friends between Trust NPWS & Environmental group, black willows removing signifi World and adjacent with this reach Heritage Area (SREP 20 Wetland) (SREP 20 wetlands) activity environment Python) economy regional • Good riparian vegetation • signifi of regional Wetlands • fi swimming recreational Popular • Popular • to contributes based tourism River • Signifi • partnership Highly successful • species – numbers of Flagship • fi recreational Popular • category Rare river (Channel • Some community based • Identifi swimming • Popular • to contributes based tourism River Reach ValuesReach Threats Reach recommendations Reach management (Near Intact mainly within reserve) Assisted Assisted Regeneration Revegetation • signifi of regional Wetland Assisted Assisted Regeneration Conservation (Near Intact within reserve) Riparian Land Management Category uence uence the gorge down down the gorge the confl to with the Colo River to junctionto with Hawkesbury River Wollemi Junction Wollemi Meroo Colo to Description Wheeney R1 Conservation Wheeney R2 of bottom From Colo R2Colo Meroo Colo From Wollangambe Wollangambe R1 Creek. Bowen Concern: of Community Creeks Colo R1Colo of Downstream Reach Name Reach Reach Management Recommendations – Colo River Subcatchment River – Colo Recommendations Reach Management

24 24 HAWKESBURY NEPEAN CATCHMENT MANAGEMENT AUTHORITY HAWKESBURY NEPEAN RIVER HEALTH STRATEGY McCarrs Creek. McCarrs Signifi occursinthe basedenvironment cantcommunity subcatchment,Pittwater activity for examplealong boating hasbeenidentifi edasathreat and thehealthof to water quality Pittwater. Pittwater isone ofthehighestsocialandeconomicvalueareas recreation ofthecatchment. Intensive suchas Whale andPalm Beach. alongthepeninsulawithdrainagewest beachessuchasAvalon, tosplit byaridge Pittwater andeastto northern Church Point, Mona Vale andAvalon. Drainagefrom area), (whichisalsoalightindustrial theseareas Newport is as ElvinaBay. sideofPittwater andeastern The southern contains signifi cantareas development at ofurban sandstone interspersed valleysare withsmalllocalforeshore themajorlandscapecharacteristic settlementssuch ChaseNationalPark. side ofthesubcatchment asbushlandinthe Ku-ring-gai islargelyWell reserved vegetated Pittwater be oneofthemostdegraded creeks, ofwater interms Council quality, area. intheKu-ring-gai popularforgenerally bushlandandare recreational very boatingandfi shing. Lovers JumpCreek isconsidered to intheCowan subcatchmentThe headwaters are ofwaterways heavily urbanised, whilethelower reaches are ChaseNationalPark). land (Ku-ring-gai the catchment isinreserved Cowan Creek subcatchment isdominated bytidalinfl waters andthewholeof uencesandestuarine western is a tidal subcatchment of the Hawkesbury River and a typical drowned valley. river andatypical River isatidalsubcatchment Almostallof oftheHawkesbury

Cowan Creek / Pittwater Subcatchments

25 Appendix 4.2 Subcatchment summaries Cowan Creek / Pittwater management (I) ow (P,W) (E) restoration (E) restoration (P,W) points and along foreshores the HawkesburyManagement for River (P) Plan (E) restoration • and connectivity habitat condition improvement Aquatic • quality Urban water and sediment management (I,W) • environmental Increase community capacity for • (P,I) Management of aquatic weeds • management (P,W) Riparian wetland • quantity / fl Water • environmental Increase community capacity for • access river Manage human impacts at public recreation • and implementation of Boating Development • values (P,M) of recreational Maintenance • management (P,W) Riparian wetland • environmental Increase community capacity for (Planning, Education, Works, Monitoring, Institutional) Monitoring, Works, Education, (Planning, , Creeping , Creeping Egeria densa cation channel – urbanisation, ed / engineered c locations c Buttercup) golf course, sediment traps and culverts golf course, specifi • Modifi • ( outbreaks weed Aquatic modifi • Flow • functioning ecosystem Barriers to • quality water Poor • points at – human access access Damaging regulation • Flow intensity • Boating Triggers Action • use – high recreational threat immediate Severe cance cance shing agship species agship agship species (Hairtail) ed fl ed fl ed community cant vegetation supply to cant irrigation water community cant vegetation communities cant vegetation – Blue Gum High & Sydney Swamp Swamp – Blue Gum High & Sydney Forest golf course Giant Burrowing Bass, (Australian Frog) Sydney Sand Forest; (Coastal Forest; Ironbark Turpentine Forest; Layered Temperate Warm Rainforest; Littoral Temperate Lagoon) Freshwater Coastal economy regional • Good riparian vegetation • Signifi • Species – swamp wallabies Flagship • Signifi • Good riparian vegetation • of local signifi Wetlands • Signifi • Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park • Identifi • Good riparian vegetation • of local signifi Wetlands • Signifi • Kur-in-gai Chase National Park • fi recreational Popular • boating motor Popular • boating non-motor Popular swimming • Popular • access High public recreation • to contributes based tourism River • Identifi Reach ValuesReach Threats Reach recommendations Reach management Assisted Assisted regeneration Assisted Regeneration Assisted Assisted Regeneration Riparian Land Management Category urban and escarpment area the tidal to down limit upstream Crosslands from reach section of Cowan section of Cowan where to Creek urban land use and the stops enters creek bushland Description Cowan R2Cowan end of From TidalCowan Tidal Cowan Cowan R1Cowan Headwater Reach Name Reach Reach Management Recommendations – Cowan Creek / Pittwater River Subcatchments River / Pittwater Creek – Cowan Recommendations Reach Management

26 26 HAWKESBURY NEPEAN CATCHMENT MANAGEMENT AUTHORITY HAWKESBURY NEPEAN RIVER HEALTH STRATEGY Reach Management Recommendations – Cowan Creek / Pittwater River Subcatchments Reach Name Reach Riparian Land Reach Values Reach Threats Reach management recommendations Description Management (Planning, Education, Works, Monitoring, Institutional) Category

Lovers Jump Through urban Revegetation • Signifi cant vegetation community • Modifi ed / engineered channel (some piping and • Revegetation with indigenous riparian vegetation (W) R1 area of East (Blue Gum High Forest) localised stormwater armouring works) • Removal/replacement of exotic riparian vegetation (W) Wahroonga to • Identifi ed fl agship species (Blue • High woody weed invasion • Aquatic habitat condition and connectivity improvement point where it Gum High Forest) • Barriers to ecosystem functioning (P,W) enters bush • Water quality • Urban water quality and sediment management (I,W) • Urbanisation – sedimentation, hydrological and • Urban water quantity and fl ow management (I,W) nutrient impacts • Increase community capacity for environmental restoration (E) Action Triggers • Severe downstream impact – water quality

Lovers Jump From start of Assisted • Good riparian vegetation • Barriers to ecosystem functioning • Aquatic condition and connectivity improvement (P,W) R2 bushland down Regeneration • Wetlands of local signifi cance (soaks • Flow regulation • Riparian wetland management (P,W) to junction with and hanging swamps) • Urbanisation – sedimentation and nutrient • Urban water quality and sediment management Cockle Creek • Signifi cant vegetation community impacts • Increase community capacity for environmental • Ku-ring-ai Chase National Park restoration (E) • Identifi ed fl agship species (Red Crowned Toadlet, Powerful Owls)

Cockle R1 Headwater reach Assisted • Good riparian vegetation • Modifi ed / engineered channel – piped • Aquatic habitat condition and connectivity improvement to Freeway Regeneration • Flagship species – water dragon; underground at points, stormwater outlets, ovals (P,W) sculpture of water dragon • High woody weed invasion – large infestation of • Removal/replacement of exotic riparian vegetation (W) associated with reach bamboo, privet • Urban water quality and sediment management (I,W) • Council and community • Barriers to ecosystem functioning • Increase community capacity for environmental environmental programs addressing • Poor water quality restoration (E) stormwater litter, water quality • Impacts from urban land use – signifi cantly monitoring, remediation of concrete altered hydrology, nutrients and sediment and channels. weeds

Action Triggers • Severe downstream impact - water quality and sedimentation

Cockle R2 From below Assisted Entire reach in Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park the Freeway Regeneration overpass to the tidal section near the junction with Cowan Creek

27 Appendix 4.2 Subcatchment summaries Cowan Creek / Pittwater sh passage (W) points and along foreshores (P,W) (P,W) points and along foreshores protect remnant riparian vegetation (P) riparian vegetation remnant protect incentives (E,P) incentives (E,W)points and along foreshores fi – barriers to • management (P,W) Riparian wetland • quality Urban water and sediment management • (P,I) Management of aquatic weeds • access river Manage human impacts at public recreation • management (P,W) Riparian wetland • conservation to Develop management agreements • Maintain existing community activity of – provision • (E,W) Management of aquatic weeds • access river Manage human impacts at public recreation • and connectivity habitat condition improvement Aquatic (Planning, Education, Works, Monitoring, Institutional) Monitoring, Works, Education, (Planning, ) ) Ludwigia Ludwigia ) Caulerpa taxifolia Caulerpa Caulerpa taxifolia Caulerpa Ludwigia longifolia Ludwigia and channel (extensive ed / engineered seawalls and foreshore structures) and foreshore seawalls peruviana Glen) • Modifi • ( outbreaks weed Aquatic • (humans) access Damaging regulation • Flow • Urban land use Triggers Action • ( threat immediate Severe • ( outbreaks aquatic weed Occasional • (human access) access Damaging • functioning at Cicada (weir ecosystem Barriers to cance (two (two cance shing agship species (Bush agship species (Southern ed fl ed ed fl ed cant community based community cant vegetation cant community based community cant vegetation cance Stone Curlews) Stone economy the regional for activity environment Brown Bandicoot, Powerful Owl, Powerful Bandicoot, Brown Glossy Black Cockatoo) activity environment signifi hanging swamps) hanging Forest) Swamp Coastal (Sydney • is a major focus based tourism River • Signifi • Signifi • fi recreational Popular • boating motor Popular • boating non-motor Popular swimming • Popular • Identifi • Signifi • Good riparian vegetation • or state of regional Wetland Reach ValuesReach Threats Reach recommendations Reach management • of local signifi Wetland • condition Good river • High potential geomorphic recovery • Kur-in-gai Chase National Park • Signifi swimming • Popular • access High public recreation • Identifi Assisted Assisted regeneration Riparian Land Management Category Conservation • Good riparian vegetation including all Tidal Tidal including all sections Description length Pittwater Estuary Pittwater Reach Name Reach McCarrs Ck R1McCarrs creek Entire Reach Management Recommendations – Cowan Creek / Pittwater River Subcatchments River / Pittwater Creek – Cowan Recommendations Reach Management

28 28 HAWKESBURY NEPEAN CATCHMENT MANAGEMENT AUTHORITY HAWKESBURY NEPEAN RIVER HEALTH STRATEGY groups. Streamwatch andCouncil monitoring/testing, water quality alongwitheducationalprograms andbushwalking The subcatchment hasasignifi includingBushcare environmental cantlevel activities, ofcommunity activity Glenbrook Creek isapopularrecreational site withswimming, fi beingpopularactivities. shingandbushwalking The headwaters ofQueen CreekVictoria andBedford Creek areas drainurbanised before Creek. theyjoinErskine Mountains World Area. Heritage recreational oftheGreater Blue use. NationalPark, part Muchofthesubcatchment iswithintheBlueMountains below. The remaining 9%ofstream lengthisrated resulting asbeingingoodconditiondueto from impacts Glenbrook R1andQueen R1arereachesVictoria andtherefore nearintact are notincludedintheassessment 91% ofstream lengthinthissubcatchment isconsidered condition.Bedford R1, to beinnearintact R2,Erskine

Erskine/Sassafras Creek Subcatchment

29 Appendix 4.2 Subcatchment summaries Erskine / Sassafras Creek points and along foreshores (E,P) of incentives – provision (P) riparian vegetation remnant protect (P) riparian vegetation remnant protect • access river Manage human impacts at public recreation • management (P,W) Riparian wetland • activity Maintain existing community based environment • conservation to Develop management agreements Reach mainly within National Park • conservation to Develop management agreements (Planning, Education, Works, Monitoring, Institutional) Monitoring, Works, Education, (Planning, – minor) • (humans – walking access tracks Damaging y; World Heritage World y; agship species (Adams ed fl ed community cant vegetation cant community based (Montanecance Peatlands) (Hanging Swamps) (Hanging economy regional Emerald Dragonfl Area) activity (Bushcare) environment signifi • condition Good river • High potential geomorphic recovery • Heritage Area World • Signifi swimming • Popular • to contributes based tourism River • Identifi • Signifi • or state of regional Wetlands Reach ValuesReach Threats Reach recommendations Reach management Conservation Conservation • Good riparian vegetation Riparian Land Management Category uence uence to confl with Nepean includes River, Glenbrook and causeway Jelly Bean Pool in Glenbrook section of Blue Mountains National Park. Headwater at Headwater Western Great Highway between Bullaburra and Falls. Wentworth Description Glenbrook R2Glenbrook Duck Hole From R2, R1, Erskine R1, Glenbrook R1, Bedford Victoria Near Intact within Reserved reaches Lands: Queen Bedford Creek Creek Bedford R1 Reach Name Reach Reach Management Recommendations – Erskine / Sassafras Creek Subcatchment – Erskine Creek / Sassafras Recommendations Reach Management

30 30 HAWKESBURY NEPEAN CATCHMENT MANAGEMENT AUTHORITY HAWKESBURY NEPEAN RIVER HEALTH STRATEGY bushwalking clubs, weed removal andbothLandcarebushwalking programs. and Bushcare groups undertaking There includinga environmental isahighlevel ofcommunity activity Wild Plant group, Rescue many at River reach joinstheHawkesbury Yarramundi andisunderthreat from weeds andoff Grose reach R2isarelatively oftheGrose belowtheNationalPark River short ownership. thatisinprivate This and NewSouth Wales Government threatened specieslegislation. number ofhanging swamps, which are listed asendangered ecological communitiesontherelevant Australian intheupperreaches, isintensive. particularly extraction, containalargeThe plateaus oftheBlueMountains into theGrose River. Stormwater to thereaches, sedimentsandnutrients iscontributing whilegroundwater Sewage and Lawson. Blackheath Treatment Plant discharges effl Blackheath development to isgenerallyrestricted Urban theareas Katoomba, around thetownships ofNorth viewsoftallcliff byspectacular The area ischaracterised alloftheGrose land(theGreater subcatchmentNearly River isinreserved BlueMountains World Area). Heritage s andplateaus ofexposedsandstone. uent into Hat Hill Creek, whichthenfeeds Creek, uent into HatHill -stream landuseimpacts.

Grose River Subcatchment

31 Appendix 4.2 Subcatchment summaries Grose River with Hawkesburyuence River is in private points and along foreshores (E,W)points and along foreshores quality (M) (E) restoration confl to down ownership. (E,W)points and along foreshores quality (M) (E,P) • management (P,W) Riparian wetland • access river Manage human impacts at public recreation • water values – recreational of recreational Maintenance • quality / nutrient management (I,W) Water • environmental Increase community capacity for Reach in National Park • section Lowest Heritage Area. World in Some of reach • access river Manage human impacts at public recreation • water values – recreational of recreational Maintenance • quality / nutrient management (I) Water • (W) riparian vegetation of exotic Removal/replacement • activity Maintain existing community based environment • (P,W) animal management in riparian zone Pest (Planning, Education, Works, Monitoring, Institutional) Monitoring, Works, Education, (Planning, channel ed / engineered course • Modifi • – humans access Damaging • - drinking regulation dams water Flow quality • Water • Reserve, golf – human, Navua access Damaging • quality water Poor • animal damage - pigs Pest shing agship species (World agship species agship ed fl ed ed fl ed community cant vegetation cant community based (Montanecance Peatbogs) for regional economy regional for Heritage Area) signifi Heritage Area Forest River Flat Coastal – Sydney camps recreation community group activity – bushcare, environment Project River Restoration • Popular swimming • Popular • is a major focus based tourism River • Identifi • Good riparian vegetation • or state of regional Wetlands • Good riparian vegetation • World part Upstream in of reach • fi recreational Popular • Signifi swimming • Popular • Reserve, – Navua High public access • Identifi • Signifi Reach ValuesReach Threats Reach recommendations Reach management Conservation Assisted Regeneration Assisted Assisted Regeneration Riparian Land Management Category ned reach reach ned to confi that starts where the track down Cabbage from lookout Tree at meets the river Wold. Grose lookout to Tree Nepean River. Headwater from from Headwater Western Great on Highway outskirtseasterly of Blackheath near township, Lookout Evans National to Rd. boundary Park creek where the Grand enters just Canyon, Lake below Greaves. Description Grose R1Grose Most of the river R2Grose Cabbage From Greaves Creek Creek Greaves R1 Reach Name Reach Reach Management Recommendations – Grose River Subcatchment River – Grose Recommendations Reach Management

32 32 HAWKESBURY NEPEAN CATCHMENT MANAGEMENT AUTHORITY HAWKESBURY NEPEAN RIVER HEALTH STRATEGY Reach Management Recommendations – Grose River Subcatchment Reach Name Reach Riparian Land Reach Values Reach Threats Reach management recommendations Description Management (Planning, Education, Works, Monitoring, Institutional) Category

Wentworth R1 Only a small Conservation • Good riparian vegetation • Stormwater – nutrient and sediment input • Urban water quality and sediment management (P,I) section of the • World Heritage Area • Develop conservation management agreements to headwater is • Good river condition protect remnant riparian vegetation (P) outside National • High geomorphic recovery potential Park, remainder • Identifi ed fl agship species (World of creek in NP. Heritage Area) Headwater from the reserve adjacent to Leura Primary school.

Govetts R1 Headwater to Conservation • Good riparian vegetation • Modifi ed / engineered channel (small rock lined • Aquatic habitat condition and connectivity improvement Hensons Glen. • Wetlands of regional or state sections to address local stormwater erosion) (I,W) Headwater in signifi cance (hanging swamps) • Damaging human access • Manage human impacts at public recreation access Leura township • World Heritage Area • Water quality points and along foreshores (E,W) • Good river condition • Urbanisation and sedimentation impacts • Riparian wetland management (P,W) • High geomorphic recovery potential • Urban water quality and sediment management (P,I) • Maintain existing community based environment activity • Popular swimming (E,P) • River based tourism is a major focus for regional economy • Develop conservation management agreements to • Signifi cant community based protect remnant riparian vegetation (P) environment activity • Identifi ed fl agship species (World Heritage Area, Blue Mountains Water Skink)

Govetts Leap Headwater from Conservation • Good riparian vegetation • Modifi ed / engineered channel (number of small • Aquatic habitat condition and connectivity improvement BR1 Great Western • Good river condition dams in headwaters associated with golf course) (I,W) Highway in • Wetlands of regional or state • Water quality • Riparian wetland management (P,W) Blackheath signifi cance (hanging swamps) • Urbanisation and sedimentation impacts • Urban water quality and sediment management (P,I) township to • Maintain existing community based environment activity National Park • Popular swimming (E,P) boundary at • River based tourism is a major focus • Develop conservation management agreements to Govetts Leap. for regional economy protect remnant riparian vegetation (P) • Signifi cant community based environment activity • Identifi ed fl agship species (World Heritage Area)

33 Appendix 4.2 Subcatchment summaries Grose River points and along foreshores (E,W)points and along foreshores quality (M) (E) restoration quality (M) (E,W)points and along foreshores (P) riparian vegetation remnant protect protect remnant riparian vegetation (P) riparian vegetation remnant protect • management (P,W) Riparian wetland • access river Manage human impacts at public recreation • water values – recreational of recreational Maintenance • quality / nutrient management (I,W) Water • environmental Increase community capacity for • quality Urban water and sediment management (P,I) • management (P,W) Riparian wetland • water values – recreational of recreational Maintenance • access Manage human impacts at public recreation • conservation to Develop management agreements (Planning, Education, Works, Monitoring, Institutional) Monitoring, Works, Education, (Planning, outside National Park. of reach Part • conservation to Develop management agreements channel (localised ed / engineered channel (minor ed / engineered armouring associated with stormwater outlets) with stormwater armouring associated works) stormwater • Modifi • Modifi • – human access Damaging • – drinking regulation dams water Flow quality • Water • (human) access Damaging quality • Water • Urbanisation agship species agship agship species (World ed fl ed fl ed (Montanecance Peatlands) swamps) (hanging cance for regional economy regional for economy regional for Heritage Area) signifi signifi • Popular swimming • Popular • is a major focus based tourism River • Identifi • drinking water Town • Heritage Area World • condition Good river swimming • Popular • High potential geomorphic recovery • is a major focus based tourism River • Identifi • Good riparian vegetation • or state of Regional Wetlands • or state of regional Wetlands Reach ValuesReach Threats Reach recommendations Reach management (Near Intact outside reserve) Conservation • Good riparian vegetation Conservation Assisted Assisted Regeneration Riparian Land Management Category uence. uence uence uence with uence Headwater Headwater Katoomba from on township northern side of Western Great to Highway confl Creek. Cascade Cascade From junction to Creek with Govetts Creek Great Western Western Great west Highway of Katoomba confl to with Katoomba confl Creek Includes Cascade Dams. creek Description Katoomba Ck R1 Katoomba Ck R2 Cascade Ck R1Cascade from Headwater Ck R2 R2, Greaves Wentworth R2, Creek R2, Govetts Brook Near Intact Leap within Reserved reaches Lands: Govetts Reach Name Reach Reach Management Recommendations – Grose River Subcatchments River – Grose Recommendations Reach Management

34 34 HAWKESBURY NEPEAN CATCHMENT MANAGEMENT AUTHORITY HAWKESBURY NEPEAN RIVER HEALTH STRATEGY environment activity. recreation based high level inthesubcatchment, ofcommunity andthere industries andtourism isavery signifi highsocialandeconomicvaluesupporting hasanextremely River The Hawkesbury cantagriculture, andfl onwater quality which impact ow. There are anumberofmajorSewerage Treatment subcatchment River Plants discharging into theHawkesbury agriculture andrecreational use, erosion issue. andriverbank isaserious agricultural operationsintheSydney basin. The fl haveriverbanks oodplainsand beenlargely cleared for themostintensive from andproductive thissubcatchment isalsohigh,supporting water extraction surface receives drasticallyreduced fl owsdue upstream extensive to impoundment water.for Sydney’s drinking Licensed inthislocationisundersevere River threat fromThe Hawkesbury amultitudeoflanduseimpacts. The river into thissubcatchment, extends River reaching approximately upstream fromHawkesbury Bay. Broken 145km at River Webbs oftheHawkesbury to Creek thelower estuary near Wiseman’s Ferry. The tidalinfl uenceinthe Sydney. fromThe subcatchment confl extends theNepean River River uencewiththeGrose near Yarramundi North ofurbanized fringe Western subcatchment River liesontheagricultural andperi-urban The Hawkesbury

Hawkesbury River Subcatchment (freshwater)

35 Appendix 4.2 Subcatchment summaries Hawkesbury River management (I) ow practices in riparian lands (E) (E,I,W)points and along foreshores quality (M) (E,P) • (W) with indigenous riparian vegetation Revegetation • management Riparian wetland • (W) riparian vegetation of exotic Removal/replacement • Management of aquatic weeds • Management impacts of stock on waterways (W) • adoption of sustainable land management Encourage • access river Manage human impacts at public recreation • quantity / fl Water • quality / nutrient management (I) Water • water values – recreational of recreational Maintenance • quality Rural water and sediment management (P,W) • activity Maintain existing community based environment • quality Urban water and sediment management (I,W) (Planning, Education, Works, Monitoring, Institutional) Monitoring, Works, Education, (Planning, ; Ludwigia) ood levees) ood Egeria densa Egeria densa. channel (localised bank ed / engineered Hyacinth; – serious erosion) ) runoff agricultural (aquatic and terrestrial) weeds Quantity; protection works; fl works; protection • Modifi • – also vines invasion weed high woody Very • Water (Salvinia; outbreaks aquatic weed Frequent • and humans – extensive (stock access Damaging regulation • Flow extraction • Flow • stormwater, quality (STP discharges, Water Action Triggers • impacts quality – water downstream and Severe • Water Quality; Water – threat immediate Severe cance cance cance cance take point take shing agship species (Glossy ed fl ed community cant vegetation supply cant irrigation water cant community based (North Richmond) (Longneck Lagoon; Pitt Town Town Lagoon; Pitt (Longneck Lagoon) (SREP 20 wetlands) Forest) River Flat Coastal (Sydney Bass; Black Cockatoo; Australian Eagle) Tailed Wedge Birds; Water economy regional for activity environment • signifi of regional Wetlands • Signifi • fi recreational Popular • boating motor Popular • boating non motor Popular swimming • Popular • access High public recreation • Identifi • Signifi • is a major focus based tourism River • Signifi • drinking off water Town Reach ValuesReach Threats Reach recommendations Reach management Revegetation • of National Signifi Wetlands Riparian Land Management Category uence to to uence confl start of Upper Reach Crescent just past Port Erringhi. Description HN R1 River Grose From Reach Name Reach Reach Management Recommendations – Hawkesbury River Subcatchment (freshwater) Subcatchment River – Hawkesbury Recommendations Reach Management

36 36 HAWKESBURY NEPEAN CATCHMENT MANAGEMENT AUTHORITY HAWKESBURY NEPEAN RIVER HEALTH STRATEGY Reach Management Recommendations – Hawkesbury River Subcatchment (freshwater) Reach Name Reach Riparian Land Reach Values Reach Threats Reach management recommendations Description Management (Planning, Education, Works, Monitoring, Institutional) Category

HN R2 .From start Assisted • Good riparian vegetation • Modifi ed / engineered channel - some major • Manage human impacts at public recreation river access of Upper Regeneration • Wetlands of regional signifi cance localised engineering such as rock walls, boat points and along foreshores (P,W) Crescent Reach – numerous SREP 20 wetlands ramps • Management of aquatic weeds downstream to • Signifi cant vegetation communities • Aquatic weed outbreaks – prone to heavy • Riparian wetland management Webbs Creek - Shale Sandstone Transition Forest; infestation of Egeria densa • Water quality / nutrient management (I) confl uence near Cumberland Shale Plains Woodland; • Damaging access mostly from recreation access • Maintenance of recreational values – recreational water Wiseman’s Ferry. River Flat Forest limited to a number of locations quality (M) • Popular recreational fi shing (all • Poor water quality • Maintain existing community environment activity (E,P) reaches) • Popular motor boating (all reaches) • Popular non-motor boating (all reaches) • Popular swimming • Identifi ed fl agship species - Eucalyptus elata at Half Moon Farm; Sydney Coastal River Flat Forest • Signifi cant irrigation water supply • River based tourism contributes to regional economy – water ski parks, B&B’s, tourist drives, cycling, Wiseman’s Ferry • Signifi cant community based environment activity

Creeks of Community Concern: Currency Creek, Redbank Creek, Rickaby’s Creek, Howes Creek.

37 Appendix 4.2 Subcatchment summaries Hawkesbury River 38 38 HAWKESBURY NEPEAN CATCHMENT MANAGEMENT AUTHORITY HAWKESBURY NEPEAN RIVER HEALTH STRATEGY million annually. high. isvery basedenvironment Community activity prawns, to oysters theoutbreak (prior estuary ofQX disease)andfi shinNSWwithawholesale valueof$6.3 commercial fi thesecondlargest commercial coastal supports shing.River estuary TheHawkesbury of shery fi highsocialandeconomicvaluesincludingrecreational hasextremely usageand Estuary The Hawkesbury have beensignifiestuary cantlymodifi edby agricultural, recreation andvillagedevelopments. metropolitan area andtheGosford/Wyong areas ontheCentral Coast. The fl oodplainsofthelower Hawkesbury (23in-stream water ofSydney’s intotal) structures reservoirs includingthemajorimpoundmentsfor drinking The fl are highly reduced due River anumberofupstreamto Estuary weirs and ows reaching theHawkesbury The tidalinfl approximatelyRiver upstream. extends 145km uenceintheHawkesbury Reserve. areas helptoThese reserved protect thevaluablemangrove communities alongmuchoftheforeshore. andDharugNationalParks, Chase, Marramarra Nature areas andMuogamarra includeKu-ring-gai Reserved subcatchment isdominated bybushlandinterspersed withsmall,This lower localforeshore estuary settlements.

Hawkesbury River Estuary Subcatchment

39 Appendix 4.2 Subcatchment summaries Hawkesbury River Estuary practices in riparian lands (E) (W,P) points and along foreshores quality (M) (E,P) practices in riparian lands (E) (W,P) points and along foreshores quality (M) (E) restoration (Planning, Education, Works, Monitoring, Institutional) Monitoring, Works, Education, (Planning, • Management impacts of stock on waterways (W) • adoption of sustainable land management Encourage • access river Manage human impacts at public recreation • Riparian management wetland • water values – recreational of recreational Maintenance • quality / nutrient management (I) Water • (P) points in reach access Increase public recreation • activity Maintain existing community based environment • Management impacts of stock on waterways (W) • adoption of sustainable land management Encourage • access river Manage human impacts at public recreation • Riparian management wetland • water values – recreational of recreational Maintenance • quality / nutrient management (I) Water • (P) points in reach access Increase public recreation • environmental Increase community capacity for boating related c sites, c locations in upstream areas channel – reclaimed ed / engineered with settlements walls associated lled) and rock restricted to specifi to restricted section (fi at specifi other vegetation access informal damage including wash, jetties, • bank; to – cattle grazing access Damaging Quality Water • Poor • Modifi • and – clearing of mangroves access Damaging Quality Water • Poor Triggers Action • disease in oysters - QX threat immediate Severe sh cant cant. cant to to cant shing shing shing shing of Diversity shing. shing Note: Note: shing agship species– agship agship species - Oysters cance (Saltmarsh) cance cance (Saltmarsh) cance sh ed fl ed ed fl ed community cant vegetation cant community based community cant vegetation sh populations sh Mangrove sh populations as are state signifi state Mangroves, Hawkesbury Prawns, Owls. Black Cockatoo, economy regional for markedly increases species in trawl of Sentry Mud downstream Box, signifi trawling crabs and prawn very are signifi Mangroves Note: to fi activity - 8 river environment sites restoration state signifi state and Jewfi regional economy economy regional very are signifi Mangroves fi fi and Mooney for Mooney Creeks breeding. Reach ValuesReach Threats Reach recommendations Reach management • Good riparian vegetation • (SREP 20) and of regional Wetlands • Signifi • fi recreational Popular • boating motor Popular • Identifi • is a major focus based tourism River fi • Commercial • Signifi • Good riparian vegetation • (SREP 20) and of regional Wetlands • Signifi • fi recreational Popular • boating motor Popular • boating non-motor Popular • Identifi • to contributes based tourism River fi • Commercial • Program Bar Island Restoration Riparian Land Management Category Assisted Assisted Regeneration Assisted Assisted Regeneration Description Junction (just of upstream Ferry) Wiseman’s Spencer to (junction with Creek) Mangrove (Mangrove Creek Creek (Mangrove Junction) to Brooklyn Road including Bridge, Bight and Peats Bar Island Reach Name Reach HNE R1 Creek Webbs HNE R2 Spencer From Reach Management Recommendations – Hawkesbury River Estuary River Subcatchment – Hawkesbury Recommendations Reach Management

40 40 HAWKESBURY NEPEAN CATCHMENT MANAGEMENT AUTHORITY HAWKESBURY NEPEAN RIVER HEALTH STRATEGY Reach Management Recommendations – Hawkesbury River Estuary Subcatchment

Reach Name Reach Riparian Land Reach Values Reach Threats Reach management recommendations Description Management (Planning, Education, Works, Monitoring, Institutional) Category

HNE R3 From the Assisted • Good riparian vegetation • Modifi ed / engineered channel – foreshore • Management of stock impacts on waterways (W) Brooklyn Road Regeneration • Wetlands of regional (SREP 20) and modifi cations, rock walling etc; dredging in • Encourage adoption of sustainable land management Bridge to the state signifi cance (Saltmarsh) Brooklyn Channel in the past practices in riparian lands (E) heads of Broken • Signifi cant vegetation community • Damaging access • Manage human impacts at public recreation river access Bay • Popular recreational fi shing • Water Quality points and along foreshores (W,P) • Popular motor boating • Riparian wetland management • Popular non-motor boating Action Triggers • Maintenance of recreational values – recreational water • Popular swimming • Severe immediate threat -. water quality, sand quality (M) • High public recreation access dredging, expanded reclamation of McKells Park • Water quality / nutrient management (I) • Identifi ed fl agship species - Jewfi sh, • Increase community capacity for environmental squid, sea eagles restoration (E) • River based tourism is a major focus for regional economy • Commercial fi shing • Community activity – Bushcare, Waterwatch, Estuary Management Committees

41 Appendix 4.2 Subcatchment summaries Hawkesbury River Estuary 42 42 HAWKESBURY NEPEAN CATCHMENT MANAGEMENT AUTHORITY HAWKESBURY NEPEAN RIVER HEALTH STRATEGY Endangered Ecological Community (EEC) known as the Montane Peatlands astheMontane andSwamps. known Endangered Ecological (EEC) Community Whalans Swamp, ofthe amongstothers) are subcatchment River located andform withintheKowmung part The Boyd Plateau Bogs(includingLittleDingoSwamp, Wheengee Whungee Swamps, Little Morong BogandRoly to development,subjected agricultural andforestry whichhave causederosion and vegetation degradation. isconsidered have River condition, howeverThe Kowmung to been thetributaries beinmostlynearintact regime. bypineplantationswhichare harvest underanactive much ofthemcharacterised Greater BlueMountains World Area. Heritage are rivers located inState Forests,The headwaters ofthetributary Boyd NationalParks,70% ofthecatchment isprotected ofthe andKanangra withintheBlueMountains part is fed of River The Kowmung bythetributaries Tuglow andBrowns Approximately andHollandersRivers Creek.

Kowmung River Subcatchment

43 Appendix 4.2 Subcatchment summaries Kowmung River riparian lands (P,E) (E) restoration (P) riparian vegetation remnant protect practices in riparian lands (E) (E) restoration riparian lands (P,E) (P,W) (E) restoration practices in riparian lands (E) (P,W) (E) restoration • Management impacts of stock on waterways (W) • adoption of sustainable land use practices Encourage in • (P,W) animal management in riparian zone Pest • environmental Increase community capacity for • conservation to Develop management agreements • adoption of sustainable land management Encourage • environmental Increase community capacity for • Management impacts of stock on waterways (W) • adoption of sustainable land use practices Encourage in • and connectivity habitat condition improvement Aquatic • environmental Increase community capacity for • Management impacts of stock on waterways (W) • adoption of sustainable land management Encourage • and connectivity habitat condition improvement Aquatic • environmental Increase community capacity for (Planning, Education, Works, Monitoring, Institutional) Monitoring, Works, Education, (Planning, • (stock) access Damaging animals • Pest • Sediment impacts upstream from • (stock) access Damaging • Management impacts of stock on waterways (W) • functioning ecosystem Barriers to • functioning ecosystem Barriers to supply cant irrigation water bank for half of reach) bank for • Good riparian vegetation • condition Good river • (on southern Heritage Area World • cover Good riparian vegetation • Signifi • Good riparian vegetation • – stock access Damaging • Good riparian vegetation • (stock) access Damaging Reach ValuesReach Threats Reach recommendations Reach management Assisted Assisted Regeneration Assisted Assisted Regeneration Assisted Assisted Regeneration Assisted Assisted Regeneration Riparian Land Management Category uence uence uence. uence uence Creek confl Creek confl to with Hollanders River (change to River). Kowmung Gorge to Reedy to Gorge confl Creek Forest Road to Road to Forest (at end of gorge end of series winding bends) approximately, to adjacent furthermost extension of Rd at Jaunter ‘yards’. Hill (on Shooters Hill Rd 25km south of Oberon) Forest Tuglow to of Part Road. runs the reach Gurnang through Forest. State Description Tuglow R4Tuglow Reedy From Tuglow R3Tuglow end of From Tuglow R2Tuglow Tuglow From Tuglow R1Tuglow Shooters From Reach Name Reach Reach Management Recommendations – Kowmung River Subcatchment River – Kowmung Recommendations Reach Management

44 44 HAWKESBURY NEPEAN CATCHMENT MANAGEMENT AUTHORITY HAWKESBURY NEPEAN RIVER HEALTH STRATEGY Reach Management Recommendations – Kowmung River Subcatchment

Reach Name Reach Riparian Land Reach Values Reach Threats Reach management recommendations Description Management (Planning, Education, Works, Monitoring, Institutional) Category

Hollanders R1 From Headwater Assisted • Good riparian vegetation • Damaging access – stock • Management of stock impacts on waterways (W) to Budthingeroo Regeneration • Barriers to ecosystem functioning • Encourage adoption of sustainable land use practices in Ck. • Headwaters incising contributing sediment to riparian lands (P,E) river below • Aquatic habitat condition and connectivity improvement (P,W) • Channel bed or bank stabilisation works (W) • Rural water quality and sediment management (W) • Increase community capacity for environmental restoration (E)

Hollanders R2 Budthingeroo Assisted • Good riparian vegetation • Barriers to ecosystem functioning. • Aquatic habitat condition and connectivity improvement Ck to confl uence Regeneration • Good river condition • Sediment impacts from upstream – barriers to fi sh passage (P,W) with Tuglow River • World Heritage Area • Willows and pine wildings possible future threat • Removal/replacement of exotic vegetation (P,W) (where it turns • Increase community capacity for environmental into Kowmung • Identifi ed Flagship Species (World restoration (E) River). Heritage Area) • Develop conservation management agreements to protect remnant riparian vegetation (P)

Browns Ck R1 Headwaters in Revegetation • Damaging access (forestry) • Revegetation with indigenous riparian vegetation (W) pine plantations • Barriers to ecosystem functioning • Aquatic habitat condition and connectivity improvement to drop over (P,W) plateau. • Increase community capacity for environmental restoration (E)

Browns Ck R2 Tributary to Revegetation • Damaging access – stock • Management of stock impacts on waterways (W) Tuglow River. • Barriers to ecosystem functioning • Encourage adoption of sustainable land management Northern practices in riparian lands (E) riverbank travels • Aquatic habitat condition and connectivity improvement alongside (P,W) Gurnang State • Increase community capacity for environmental Forest. restoration (E) • Revegetation with indigenous riparian vegetation (W)

Near Intact reaches within Reserved Lands: Kowmung R1.

45 Appendix 4.2 Subcatchment summaries Kowmung River 46 46 HAWKESBURY NEPEAN CATCHMENT MANAGEMENT AUTHORITY HAWKESBURY NEPEAN RIVER HEALTH STRATEGY therefore have notbeenassessedforthisstrategy. they River. There issignifi interest cantcommunity inmanaging thethreats headwaterKedumba areas in theurbanised ofthe Falls.Wentworth inputandweed invasionsediment andnutrient into bushland, inthetownship Leura areas and ofKatoomba, are River underpressure suchastheKedumba development,of tributaries suchas ofurban from theimpacts dense vegetation having beenallowed to recover.now supports oftheheadwaters sections Relatively short crossing around clearing ontheassociated area theKedumba reach, has hadsomeimpact Historic however it isaremote andwater area quality It ofsandstone for gorges anditismanagedprimarily conservation are NationalPark, whilethe lower inthe fallingwithintheBlueMountains sections two Warragamba SpecialArea. areThe majorrivers theLower Coxs River, ofthelatter withtheuppersections and Cedar River Creek, Kedumba they are considered condition. innearintact water catchment andthereforeis protected drinking noformal assessmentwasmadeonany of these reaches as Almost alloftheLower Coxs subcatchment iswithintheSydney (SCA) Catchment Authority ‘Special Area’ which The majority ofreaches withinthissubcatchment Themajority Landsorhave are beenclassifi eitherinReserved ednearintact,

Lower Coxs River Subcatchment

47 Appendix 4.2 Subcatchment summaries Lower Coxs River 48 48 HAWKESBURY NEPEAN CATCHMENT MANAGEMENT AUTHORITY HAWKESBURY NEPEAN RIVER HEALTH STRATEGY Macdonald River.Macdonald There is signifi commitment managingto cantlocalcommunity thethreats alongthelower reaches ofthe bank sediments. appears to berecovering for from revegetation theinitialerosion andpresents to stabilisethe agoodopportunity Nepean. to beasource ofseedto othersubcatchments oftheHawkesbury now The channelofthemainriver withthehighlyinvasive channelischoked Much ofthemainriver blackwillowandthisstandofis thought erosion andfi llingupwithsand. riverbank vegetation wasamajorcontributor Thelackof to thechannelchange. 1950s.1940s andearly Catastrophic channelchangeresulted inthechannelgreatly wideningthrough bank agriculture. hasundergone asaresult River offl metamorphosis river The Macdonald ofaseries oodsinthelate major creeks fl owthrough National ofthesubcatchment andthelower hasbeen developed section Park for reaches ofriver inthissubcatchment condition. areThe majority innearintact The headwaters ofsomethe National Park oftheGreater BlueMountains forming part World Area. Heritage with the boundary subcatchments.Webbs River More thanhalfofthelandarea Creek isin andHawkesbury Yengo withthe subcatchment River sharesThe Macdonald itswestern boundary Wollemi subcatchment anditssouthern

Macdonald River Subcatchment

49 Appendix 4.2 Subcatchment summaries Macdonald River t t from from t management (I) ow practices in riparian lands (E) (I,W)points and along foreshores (E,P) quality (M) (P) riparian vegetation remnant protect (P) riparian vegetation remnant protect (P) riparian vegetation remnant protect protect remnant riparian vegetation (P) riparian vegetation remnant protect • (W) with indigenous riparian vegetation Revegetation • management Riparian wetland • (W) riparian vegetation of exotic Removal/replacement • Management impact of stock on waterways (W) • adoption of sustainable land management Encourage • access river Manage human impacts at public recreation • quantity / fl Water • activity Maintain existing community based environment • water values – recreational of recreational Maintenance • conservation to Develop management agreements • conservation to Develop management agreements • conservation to Develop management agreements Reach within National Park. that was within National Park is a small reach This a farm. historically benefi and could vegetation banks lack native The revegetation. • conservation to Develop management agreements (Planning, Education, Works, Monitoring, Institutional) Monitoring, Works, Education, (Planning, Reach within National Park. that was historically within National Park is a small reach This benefi and could vegetation banks lack native The a farm. revegetation. from ) channel (localised bank ed / engineered human foreshore disturbance) human foreshore protection works in lower section) in lower works protection Arundo donax • Modifi • and inappropriate (stock access Damaging extraction • Flow • soils acid sulfate Potential Triggers Action • Willow – Black threat immediate Severe • Willows, (Privet, invasion High weed woody shing supply cant irrigation water cant community based (SREP 20 wetlands) cance for the regional economy the regional for activity environment signifi • fi recreational Popular swimming • Popular • Signifi • is a major focus based tourism River • Signifi Reach ValuesReach Threats Reach recommendations Reach management (Near Intact outside reserve) Conservation (Near Intact outside reserve) (Near Intact outside reserve) Revegetation • or state of regional Wetlands Revegetation Conservation (Near Intact outside reserve) Riparian Land Management Category uence with uence Boggy swamp to Creek confl Hawkesbury River at Wisemans Ferry. reach – single reach holding now by taken over NPWS including Big Yengo Homestead. Description Macdonald R1 Palomorang R1 R1Womerah Conservation R1. Yengo R3, Melon R1, Yengo R1, Big Yengo Near Intact R3, Big within Reserved R1, Big Boree reaches Lands: Big Boree Conservation Boggy Swamp Boggy Swamp R1 Macdonald R2 and Macdonald Tidal Big Boree R2Big Boree R2Yengo Big and Fill Cut Revegetation Reach Name Reach Reach Management Recommendations – Macdonald River Subcatchment River – Macdonald Recommendations Reach Management

50 50 HAWKESBURY NEPEAN CATCHMENT MANAGEMENT AUTHORITY HAWKESBURY NEPEAN RIVER HEALTH STRATEGY Upper Mangrove andMangrove development. have Mountain someperi-urban are signifi impacted intheupper reaches. cantlybythe reservoir Theareas around Ridge,Mangrove Peats Creek, the rates oferosion andtheresulting sedimentationanddepositiondownstream. Flows inMangrove Creek andagriculture clearing historical The catchment onthelower hasexperienced fl oodplains, whichhave increased catchment ofMangrove whichsupplieswater for Creek Gosford/Wyong. Reservoir The catchment hassignifi cantareas ofbushlandinDharugand Popran National orintheprotectedParks includes atidalreach NepeanEstuary. where thecreek enters theHawkesbury catchment. It oftheHawkesbury-Nepean corner The Mangrove Creek Subcatchment liesinthenorth-eastern

Mangrove Creek Subcatchment

51 Appendix 4.2 Subcatchment summaries Mangrove Creek management (I) ow river access points and along foreshores (I,W) points and along foreshores access river quality (M) (E) restoration (P,W) riparian lands (P,E) (E,P) • Manage human impacts recreation at public and private • water values – recreational of recreational Maintenance • management Riparian wetland • environmental Increase community capacity for • (W) with indigenous riparian vegetation Revegetation • and connectivity habitat condition improvement Aquatic • Management impacts of stock on waterways (W) • (P,W) Management of aquatic weeds • (W) riparian vegetation of exotic Removal/replacement • adoption of sustainable land use practices Encourage in • quantity / fl Water • activity Maintain existing community based environment • management Riparian wetland (Planning, Education, Works, Monitoring, Institutional) Monitoring, Works, Education, (Planning, ecting water water ecting channel (localised bank ed / engineered with channel (associated ed / engineered protection works) protection damage) mangrove quality) dam) • Modifi • causing (human access access Damaging regulation • Flow extraction • Flow • Modifi • (cattle) access Damaging • (Sagittaria) outbreaks weed Aquatic • functioning ecosystem Barriers to regulation • Flow extraction • Flow Triggers Action • impact aff (weir downstream Severe cance shing shing sh, Mangroves) sh, agship species (Mud agship species – Lyrebird ed fl ed ed fl ed community cant vegetation cant community based and (SREP 20 wetlands cance Crabs, Jewfi Crabs, signifi saltmarsh) – saltmarsh environment activity environment • Commercial fi • Commercial • or state of regional Wetlands • Signifi • fi recreational Popular swimming • Popular • Identifi • Signifi Reach ValuesReach • Good riparian vegetation • of local signifi Wetlands • Identifi Threats Reach recommendations Reach management Revegetation • Good riparian vegetation Riparian Land Management Category Assisted Assisted Regeneration From just above just above From to Greengrove at main river Spencer. Description wall to tidal wall to 1 approx reach km of upstream Greengrove. Creeks of Community Concern: Ironbark Creek, Popran Creek, Warre Warren Creek. Warren Warre Creek, Ironbark Creek, Popran Concern: of Community Creeks Mangrove Tidal Reach Name Reach Mangrove R1Mangrove Reservoir From Reach Management Recommendations – Mangrove Creek Subcatchment Creek – Mangrove Recommendations Reach Management

52 52 HAWKESBURY NEPEAN CATCHMENT MANAGEMENT AUTHORITY HAWKESBURY NEPEAN RIVER HEALTH STRATEGY and Wildlife Service. Service. and Wildlife inthesubcatchment, aswell bytheNationalParks asweed controlworking and mapping programs undertaken There is amajorLandcare association,theLithgowOberon Landcare Association, andnumerous Landcare groups reachesdegradation downstream. ofthenearintact altered thevegetation ofthissubcatchment. needto bewell oftheseactivities managedto preventThe impacts there issignifi headwaters bothofwhichhave cantruraldevelopment, andpine plantationsinthetributary Flows Coxs Lyell. are River byimpoundmentatLake intheMid impacted theupperarea ofthesubcatchment, In values bylocalandregional communities. oftheGreater BlueMountains part World Area. Heritage The subcatchment ishighlyvaluedfor itsrecreational The subcatchment hassignifiKanagra landinitslower Boyd cant areas National in reaches inthe reserved Park, Reserve. bynarrow granitecharacterised valleysandcontainsthe World Conservation listed JenolanCaves Heritage Karst is Nepeancatchment. Coxs It subcatchment River islocatedThe Mid inthefar-west oftheHawkesbury section

Mid Coxs River Subcatchment

53 Appendix 4.2 Subcatchment summaries Mid Coxs River management (I) ow management ow protect remnant riparian vegetation (P) riparian vegetation remnant protect (P,W) (E,P) riparian lands (P,E) (P,W) (E,P) (E,W)points and along foreshores (P,W) (E,P) (P) riparian vegetation remnant protect (Planning, Education, Works, Monitoring, Institutional) Monitoring, Works, Education, (Planning, • conservation to Develop management agreements • and connectivity habitat condition improvement Aquatic • activity Maintain existing community based environment • Management impacts of stock on waterways (W) • adoption of sustainable land use practices Encourage in • quantity / fl Water • and connectivity habitat condition improvement Aquatic • activity Maintain existing community based environment • quality / nutrient management (I) Water • access river Manage human impacts at public recreation • and connectivity habitat condition improvement Aquatic • (P,W) Management of aquatic weeds • quantity / fl Water • quality / nutrient management Water • (P,W) riparian vegetation of exotic Removal/replacement • activity Maintain existing community based environment • conservation to Develop management agreements Plant nutrients) channel ed / engineered channel ed / engineered ground) Caves) Nasturtium) upstream Sewerage Treatment • impact (weeds) downstream Severe • Modifi • (stock) access Damaging • functioning ecosystem Barriers to extraction • Flow • Modifi • camping (human – localised to access Damaging • functioning ecosystem Barriers to extraction • Flow Triggers Action • impact (STP at Jenolan downstream Severe • (Water outbreaks aquatic weed Occasional • functioning ecosystem Barriers to extraction • Flow • Sediment impacts pine plantations from Triggers Action • (Jenolan threat immediate Caves Severe shing agship species (Brush Tailed Tailed agship species (Brush Tailed agship species (Brush program cant environmental cant community based program cant environmental cant community based community cant vegetation cant community based NP) fl tied to Rock Wallabies) economy regional activity (Greencorps environment and volunteers) NP) fl tied to Rock Wallabies) economy regional activity (Greencorps environment and volunteers) National Park) Myrtle(Grey Dry Rainforest) activity environment Reach ValuesReach Threats Reach recommendations Reach management • Good riparian vegetation • (Kanangra Boyd Heritage Area World • Signifi • to contributes based tourism River • Signifi • Good riparian vegetation • (Kanangra Boyd Heritage Area World • fi recreational Popular • Signifi • to contributes based tourism River • Signifi • Good riparian vegetation • condition Good river • (Kanangra Boyd Heritage Area World • Signifi • Signifi Riparian Land Management Category Conservation (Near Intact outside reserve) Assisted Regeneration Regeneration Assisted Regeneration Description in Jenolan State in Jenolan State through Forest Jenolan Karst Reserve just to of downstream Rd Jenolan Caves STP) (before of downstream rd Jenolan Caves – nearly Coxs to all in Kanangra National Boyd Park Reach Name Reach Megalong R1 Creek Jenolan R1 headwater From Jenolan R2 Assisted Jenolan R3 just from Gorge Reach Management Recommendations – Mid Coxs River Subcatchment River – Mid Coxs Recommendations Reach Management

54 54 HAWKESBURY NEPEAN CATCHMENT MANAGEMENT AUTHORITY HAWKESBURY NEPEAN RIVER HEALTH STRATEGY Reach Management Recommendations – Mid Coxs River Subcatchment

Reach Name Reach Riparian Land Reach Values Reach Threats Reach management recommendations Description Management (Planning, Education, Works, Monitoring, Institutional) Category

Mid Coxs R1 1. Lake Lyell to Assisted • Good riparian vegetation • Aquatic weed outbreaks (Elodia & Umbrella • Management of aquatic weeds (P,W) Duddawarra Regeneration • National Park Weeds) • Aquatic habitat condition and connectivity improvement (downstream • Signifi cant vegetation community • Barriers to ecosystem functioning (P,W) to Deddawarra (Wollondilly / Shoalhaven Gorge • Flow regulation (Drinking water dams) • Water quantity / fl ow management (I) Gully on Clarke Woodland) • Flow extraction • Maintain existing community based environment activity Simpson Rd) • Popular recreational fi shing (E,P) 2. Duddawarra • Popular swimming • Maintenance of recreational values (M) past Sandy • Signifi cant fl agship species Hook to bend (Platypus) downstream • Signifi cant community based of “Riverview” environment activity (Mt Kanimbla (between and Kanimbla Valley Landcare Nortons and Groups) Pulpit Hill Cks)

Mid Coxs R2 From bend Conservation • Develop conservation management agreements to downstream (most in protect remnant riparian vegetation (P) of “Riverview”, reserve) between Nortons Most of reach in Kanangra Boyd National Park and Pulpit Hill Cks to Kowmung River confl uence

Jocks R1 Headwater from Assisted • Good riparian vegetation • Damaging access (stock) • Management of stock impacts on waterways (W) Great Dividing Regeneration • Flow extraction • Encourage adoption of sustainable land use practices in Range adjacent riparian lands (P,E) to Mt Arthur on Action Triggers • Removal/replacement of exotic riparian vegetation (W) Rydal – Hampton • Severe immediate threat – Crack Willow • Increase community capacity for environmental Rd to just restoration (E) downstream of the Old Bathurst Rd (fi re trail)

Jocks R2 From just Assisted • Good riparian vegetation • Damaging access (stock) • Management of stock impacts on waterways (W) downstream of Regeneration • Good river condition • Barriers to ecosystem functioning • Encourage adoption of sustainable land use practices in Old Bathurst Rd • Signifi cant vegetation community • Flow extraction riparian lands (P,E) to confl uence (Wollondilly-Shoalhaven Gorge • Sediment impacts from upstream • Aquatic habitat condition and connectivity improvement with Coxs River Woodland) (P,W) • Identifi ed Flagship Species • Water management – quantity (I) (Platypus; Bentwing Bats) • Maintain existing community based environment activity • Some community based (E,P) environment activity (Catchment • Develop conservation management agreements to Protection Scheme) protect remnant riparian vegetation (P)

55 Appendix 4.2 Subcatchment summaries Mid Coxs River management (I) ow protect remnant riparian vegetation (P) riparian vegetation remnant protect (E,W)points and along foreshores (P,W) (E,P) practices in riparian lands (E) (P,W) (E) restoration (E) restoration (P) riparian vegetation remnant protect (E) restoration • conservation to Develop management agreements • access river Manage human impacts at public recreation • and connectivity habitat condition improvement Aquatic • quantity / fl Water • values (M) of recreational Maintenance • activity Maintain existing community based environment • quality / nutrient management (I) Water • Management impacts of stock on waterways (W) • adoption of sustainable land management Encourage • and connectivity habitat condition improvement Aquatic • environmental Increase community capacity for • conservation to Develop management agreements • (W) riparian vegetation of exotic Removal/replacement • environmental Increase community capacity for (Planning, Education, Works, Monitoring, Institutional) Monitoring, Works, Education, (Planning, oodplain access points at council parks) points at council access tributary) • (human at public recreation access Damaging • functioning ecosystem Barriers to extraction • Flow Triggers Action • impact into (STP discharge downstream Severe • upstream Sediment impacts reaches from • environmental Increase community capacity for • Clearing of fl • Willows • functioning ecosystem Barriers to (Australasia (Australasia shing shing shing agship species agship community cant vegetation program cant environmental supply cant irrigation water cant community based (Wollondilly-Shoalhaven Gorge Gorge (Wollondilly-Shoalhaven Woodland) fl tied to buxifolia) activity environment • Good riparian vegetation Park • National • Signifi • fi recreational Popular swimming • Popular • Signifi • Signifi • Signifi • cover Good riparian vegetation • access Damaging • Good riparian vegetation • condition Good river • fi recreational Popular • Good riparian vegetation • fi recreational Popular Reach ValuesReach Threats Reach recommendations Reach management Assisted Assisted Regeneration Assisted Regeneration Regeneration Regeneration Riparian Land Management Category (Near Intact outside reserve) Creek to junction to Creek River with Coxs upper section Description River Lett R2River Lett Kerosene From Little River R1 Forest State R2Little River Not listed R3Little River Assisted Not listed Creek. Lowther Concern: of Community Creeks Assisted Reach Name Reach River Lett R1River Lett Conservation Reach Management Recommendations – Mid Coxs River Subcatchment River – Mid Coxs Recommendations Reach Management

56 56 HAWKESBURY NEPEAN CATCHMENT MANAGEMENT AUTHORITY HAWKESBURY NEPEAN RIVER HEALTH STRATEGY causing damageto mangrove vegetation. bank erosion. There issomeinappropriate foreshore Creek Mooney ofMooney usageinareas ofthe tidalsection issues.water Furthermore, quality Piles Creek Creek andthetidalreach Mooney have ofMooney occurrences of R1). Creek Mooney Mooney (Mooney of Mooney Th Damprovides Mooney waterThe Mooney supplyto Gosford. from Groundwater theheadwaters isextracted to theeast. development to whichisrestricted Kariong Creek whiletheupperreaches development, andsomeurban are byagricultural andperi-urban impacted is dominated bybushland. Brisbane Water NationalPark islocated in thelower reaches Mooney ofMooney from thenorth. The subcatchment Estuary Creek Mooney subcatchmentThe Mooney enters the Hawkesbury e industrial areae industrial atSomersbydrainsinto Piles Creek causing

Mooney Mooney Creek Subcatchment

57 Appendix 4.2 Subcatchment summaries Mooney Mooney Creek management (I) ow sh passage (I,W) sh passage (I,W) restoration (E) restoration restoration (E) restoration fi – barriers to protect remnant riparian vegetation (P) riparian vegetation remnant protect fi – barriers to (P,W) (E) restoration river access points and along foreshores (E,W) points and along foreshores access river (E) restoration protect remnant riparian vegetation (P) riparian vegetation remnant protect • environmental Increase community capacity for • environmental Increase community capacity for • management – quantity (I) Water in reserved lands. of reach Part • and connectivity habitat condition improvement Aquatic (Planning, Education, Works, Monitoring, Institutional) Monitoring, Works, Education, (Planning, • conservation to Develop management agreements • and connectivity habitat condition improvement Aquatic • and connectivity habitat condition improvement Aquatic • quantity / fl Water • environmental Increase community capacity for • recreation at public and private Manage human access • management Riparian wetland • quality / nutrient management (I) Water • values (M) of recreational Maintenance • environmental Increase community capacity for • conservation to Develop management agreements ll, ll, channel (some minor ed / engineered channel (small ed / engineered fi road channel (seawalls, ed / engineered channel (some small ed / engineered piping and causeways) decommissioned dam) decommissioned boat ramps) development) – boat ramps and foreshore at Mooney causeways and pipes) causeways • Modifi • functioning ecosystem Barriers to extraction • Flow • Modifi • functioning ecosystem Barriers to regulation • Flow extraction • Flow • Modifi • mangroves (human damage to access Damaging regulation • Flow quality • Water • septics quality from water degradation Potential Triggers Action • disease in Oysters) (QX threat immediate Severe • Modifi • functioning ecosystem Barriers to shing shing shing shing agship species (Playtpus; agship species (National agship species (Oyster) agship species (Gymea ed fl ed ed fl ed ed fl ed ed fl ed cance (saltmarsh) cance Park) activityenvironment (Streamwatch) Quoll) environment activity (Bushcare) environment signifi Lilly and threatened Mintbush Lilly and threatened species on Somersby Plateau) Reach ValuesReach Threats Reach recommendations Reach management • National Park Water Brisbane • condition Good river • High potential geomorphic recovery • Identifi • fi recreational Popular • Some community based • Good riparian vegetation • National Park Waters Brisbane • fi recreational Popular • Identifi • National Park Waters Brisbane • fi recreational Popular • boating motor Popular • boating non-motor Popular swimming • Popular • Identifi fi • Commercial • Some community based • Good riparian vegetation • or state of regional Wetland • National Park Waters Brisbane • condition Good river • High potential geomorphic recovery • Identifi Riparian Land Management Category Conservation • Good riparian vegetation Assisted Assisted Regeneration Assisted Assisted Regeneration Conservation • cover Good riparian vegetation Gorge Gorge of downstream Mooney Mooney dam wall to of tidal beginning reach Description From south From of Mangrove Mountain dam to to Mooney to Mooney Point, including NOT Spectacle Island Bay & Cogra Whole length Wisemans from Rd at Ferry “Warrumbungle” reservoir to water Divides body. with 2 zones into in zone upstream the urban area. Reach Name Reach Mooney Mooney R2 Mooney Mooney R1 Mooney Tidal From gorge Little Mooney R1 Reach Management Recommendations – Mooney Mooney Creek Subcatchment Creek Mooney – Mooney Recommendations Reach Management

58 58 HAWKESBURY NEPEAN CATCHMENT MANAGEMENT AUTHORITY HAWKESBURY NEPEAN RIVER HEALTH STRATEGY and meanders, whileQuialigoCreek alternates ChainofPonds between andCut andFill reaches. (61%ofreach lengthinthesubcatchmentchannel type isChainofPonds). The Mulwaree haslarge River pools The Mulwaree isauniquesubcatchment inthatithasahighrepresentation oftherare ChainofPonds river Wetlands ofImportant ofAustralia.Directory Morass” breeding grounds are important anddrought refuge for Australian birds. These wetlands are listed onthe Bathurst andtheassociated areThe majorrivers wetlands Lake theMulwaree andQuialigoCreek. River “The industry. located ofthesubcatchment. atthemostdownstream section asignifiThe subcatchment supports cantrural andfl ofboththeriparian clearing oodplain vegetation. There city development withGoulburn issomeurban away isabroad from alluvialvalleythathasundergone isthesubcatchment theestuary. signifi furthest It It cant Nepeancatchment. oftheHawkesbury The Mulwaree subcatchment River boundary islocated atthesouthern

Mulwaree River Subcatchment

59 Appendix 4.2 Subcatchment summaries Mulwaree River management (I,W)ow management (I) ow management (I) ow practices in riparian lands (E) (P,W) (E) restoration practices in riparian lands (E) (P,W) (E,P) (E,P) practices in riparian lands (E) (P,W) (Planning, Education, Works, Monitoring, Institutional) Monitoring, Works, Education, (Planning, • (W) with indigenous riparian vegetation Revegetation • (W) riparian vegetation of exotic Removal/replacement • Management impact of stock on waterways (W) • adoption of sustainable land management Encourage • and connectivity habitat condition improvement Aquatic • (P,W) animal management in riparian zone Pest • (W) Channel bed or bank stabilisation works • quality / nutrient management (I) Water • environmental Increase community capacity for • Management impacts of stock on waterways (W) • adoption of sustainable land management Encourage • and connectivity habitat condition improvement Aquatic • quantity / fl Water • quantity Urban water and fl • management Riparian wetland • activity Maintain existing community based environment • (W) with indigenous riparian vegetation Revegetation • (W) with indigenous riparian vegetation Revegetation • activity Maintain existing community based environment • Management impact of stock on waterways (W) • adoption of sustainable land management Encourage • and connectivity habitat condition improvement Aquatic • (W) riparian vegetation of exotic Removal/replacement • quantity and fl Water • quality Urban water and sediment management (P,I,W) cant urban area from ow water cant leaf fall degrading in reach) channel (weir ed / engineered damage, especially in upper reaches) damage, degrading potentially reach, Chain of Ponds reach. developments. estate Chain of Ponds from resulting changed hydrology by threatened cause channel incision. subdivision – could and rubbish infl Stormwater particular problem. quality • (stock) access Damaging • functioning ecosystem Barriers to extraction • Flow • pests (deer causing signifi terrestrial Exotic • sewage – nutrient impact reach to Tarago • Incision downstream supplying sediment to • - slight) (stock access Damaging • functioning ecosystem Barriers to extraction • Flow • and abattoir quality from water threat Potential • to – threat hydrology Subdivision changing Triggers Action • Particularly of Ponds). style (Chain Rare river • Modifi • (stock) access Damaging • functioning ecosystem Barriers to extraction • Flow quality • Water • Urbanisation (sediment and nutrient impacts). • – signifi Willows cance cance shing agship species (Water ed fl ed community cant vegetation supply cant irrigation water supply cant irrigation water cant community based supply cant irrigation water cant community based (Frost Hollow Grassy Woodland; Woodland; Grassy Hollow (Frost Grassy Box-Gum Tableland Woodland) of Ponds) (Chain Fowl) activity environment activity environment Reach ValuesReach Threats Reach recommendations Reach management • Signifi • category river Rare or threatened • Identifi • Signifi • Signifi • Signifi • Signifi Riparian Land Management Category Revegetation • fi recreational Popular with Quialigo junction to Creek with Wollondilly River Description Reach Name Reach Mulwaree R1Mulwaree Revegetation • Signifi R2Mulwaree Revegetation • of local signifi Wetland R3Mulwaree junction From Reach Management Recommendations – Mulwaree River Subcatchment River – Mulwaree Recommendations Reach Management

60 60 HAWKESBURY NEPEAN CATCHMENT MANAGEMENT AUTHORITY HAWKESBURY NEPEAN RIVER HEALTH STRATEGY Reach Management Recommendations – Mulwaree River Subcatchment

Reach Name Reach Riparian Land Reach Values Reach Threats Reach management recommendations Description Management (Planning, Education, Works, Monitoring, Institutional) Category

Qualigo R1 Entire Creek to Revegetation • Wetland of local signifi cance • Modifi ed / engineered channel (Goulburn Bypass where it joins the (Rosebank Wetland) crosses creek) • Management of stock impacts on waterways (W) Mulwaree River • Rare or threatened river category • Damaging access (stock – hard to determine due • Encourage adoption of sustainable land management (Chain of Ponds) to fl at banks) practices in riparian lands (E) • Signifi cant vegetation community • Barriers to ecosystem functioning • Aquatic habitat condition and connectivity improvement (Frost Hollow Grassy Woodland; • Flow extraction (P,W) Tableland Grassy Box-Gum • Serrated tussock threat • Water quantity / fl ow management (I) Woodland) • Increasing salinity • Riparian wetland management • Signifi cant community based • Subdivision changing hydrology – threat to • Urban water quantity / fl ow management (I,W) environment activity Chain of Ponds • Maintain existing community based environmental activity (P,E) Action Triggers • Revegetation with indigenous riparian vegetation (W) • Rare river category (Chain of Ponds)

Chain of Entire length Revegetation • Rare or threatened river category • Modifi ed / engineered channel (draining of • Revegetation with indigenous riparian vegetation (W) ponds R1 draining into (Chain of Ponds) wetland and channel country) • Removal/replacement of exotic riparian vegetation (W) Lake Bathurst • Wetland of National Signifi cance • Damaging access (stock chasing salt causing • Management of stock impact on waterways (W) – Lake Bathurst erosion of channel) • Encourage adoption of sustainable land management • Flow extraction practices in riparian lands (E) • Salinity • Water quantity / fl ow management (I) • Rubbish tip in lower section of reach • Salinity management • Serrated tussock • Riparian wetland management • Increase community capacity for environmental Action Triggers restoration (E) • Severe immediate threat – salinity causing erosion

61 Appendix 4.2 Subcatchment summaries Mulwaree River 62 62 HAWKESBURY NEPEAN CATCHMENT MANAGEMENT AUTHORITY HAWKESBURY NEPEAN RIVER HEALTH STRATEGY that are aff swimmingpool, lowlevel asmall damonthegolfcourseandanhistoric Mittagong weir, are in-stream structures of the NattaiRiver.Gibbergunyah atributary Creek, developmentdue to intheheadwaters theurban atthetown ofMittagong. STPdischarges into The Mittagong lengthhasbeenclassifi98% oftheNattaiRiver whilethe remainder isconsidered edasnearintact, degraded forBurragorang, themajorreservoir Sydney’s water supply. World Area, Heritage orthe Warragamba Special Area. fl isamajortributary The Nattai River owinginto Lake oftheGreater BlueMountains eitherinNattaiNationalPark, part The subcatchment ismostlybushlandreserved ecting flecting owsthrough thecreek.

Nattai River Subcatchment

63 Appendix 4.2 Subcatchment summaries Nattai River (E,P) (I,W)points and along foreshores Special Lands. Authority Catchment in Sydney reach (P) riparian vegetation remnant protect • (W) with indigenous riparian vegetation Revegetation • activity Maintain existing community based environment • access river Manage human impacts at public recreation • (W) riparian vegetation of exotic Removal/replacement • quality Urban water and sediment management (I,W) part Rest of Upstream outside reserved lands. of reach • conservation to Develop management agreements (Planning, Education, Works, Monitoring, Institutional) Monitoring, Works, Education, (Planning, of channel (realignment ed / engineered creek – urban area) creek watercourse. pool built over Swimming delivery. in headwaters. Golf course • Modifi • Damaging access access • Damaging • and sediment hydrology Urbanisation – altered (willows) • Weeds agship species (Platypus) ed fl ed cant community based environment activity environment • Identifi • Signifi Reach ValuesReach Threats Reach recommendations Reach management Conservation (Near Intact outside reserve) Revegetation Riparian Land Management Category from end of from urban area. foothills of foothills Mittagong Range (just of upstream range Rd (South) downstream to of Mittagong Pool Swimming SE boundaryto of Mt Alexander Reserve. Runs along edge of Mittagong Urban swimming Area; pool built over stream. Description Nattai R2 Rest of the river Creek. Gibbergunyah Concern: of Community Creeks Nattai R1 2km from Reach Name Reach Reach Management Recommendations – Nattai River Subcatchment River – Nattai Recommendations Reach Management

64 64 HAWKESBURY NEPEAN CATCHMENT MANAGEMENT AUTHORITY HAWKESBURY NEPEAN RIVER HEALTH STRATEGY Conservation Area isonesuchexampleandapopularrecreationalConservation area for thepeopleofSydney. There remains naturalbushlandinthelower reaches inthemidreaches. andisolated pockets Bents BasinState Nepean catchment. segmented of into aseries lakes’‘weir ratherthanafreely flriver bydamsintheUpper andisalsoimpacted owing There are 11weirs located thatare ontheNepeanRiver severely regulating thenaturalfl ows. river hasbeen The adverse aff ofPenrith.subcatchment, includingthecity Stormwater, agriculture, are allhaving mining andwater extraction andthereagricultural andrural-residential are properties alsosignifi areas andindustrial inthis canturban Outside thegorge area, thefl riparian zones have oodplainsand developed beenextensively to support Creek subcatchmentinto andare theErskine shownontherelevant map. Greater BlueMountains World Area Heritage ontheeastandwest banks. landsonthewest bank fall The reserved at itsconflRiver. uence withtheGrose Asignifi river, ofthe cantsection knownastheNepeanGorge, has the signifiRiver (freshwater) cantdamsandprotected water supplycatchments, catchment andjoinstheHawkesbury subcatchmentThe NepeanRiver islocated downstream oftheUpperNepeansubcatchment, whichcontains ects throughoutects thereaches.

Nepean River Subcatchment

65 Appendix 4.2 Subcatchment summaries Nepean River management (I) ow management (I) ow practices in riparian lands (E) (E) restoration practices in riparian lands (E) (E,W)points and along foreshores (P,W) quality (M) (E,P) (Planning, Education, Works, Monitoring, Institutional) Monitoring, Works, Education, (Planning, • Management of aquatic weeds • (P,W) and connectivity condition improvement Aquatic • Management impacts of stock on waterways (W) • adoption of sustainable land management Encourage • quantity / fl Water • environmental Increase community capacity for • Management of aquatic weeds • Management impact of stock on waterways (W) • adoption of sustainable land management Encourage • access river Manage human impacts at public recreation • and connectivity habitat condition improvement Aquatic • quantity / fl Water • water values – recreational of recreational Maintenance • quality Urban water and sediment management (P,W) • quality Rural water and sediment management (W) • quality / nutrient management (I) Water • activity Maintain existing community based environment agriculture intensive from channel (de-snagging, ed / engineered channel (sand mining) ed / engineered oodplain weirs, sand mining) weirs, Hyacinth) Water weirs) Water Hyacinth) Water points) public access river sediment input to on fl (West STP) Camden • Modifi • Salvinia, Weed, (Alligator outbreaks weed Aquatic • (stock) access Damaging • functioning (numerous ecosystem Barriers to regulation • Flow extraction • Flow • mining underneath river Long-wall • Modifi • Salvinia, Weed, (Alligator outbreaks weed Aquatic • (stock, and also humans at access Damaging • functioning (weirs) ecosystem Barriers to regulation • Flow extraction • Flow quality • Water • and hydrology altering Urban development • High nutrient runoff Triggers Action • impact – STP nutrient input downstream Severe shing shing agship species (Camden Species ed Flagship ed fl ed community cant vegetation supply cant irrigation water community cant vegetation supply cant irrigation water cant community based (Cumberland Shale Sandstone Shale Sandstone (Cumberland Shale Cumberland Forest; Transition River Cumberland Woodland; Hills Forest) Flat (Platypus; Eagles) (Cumberland Shale Sandstone Shale Sandstone (Cumberland Shale Cumberland Forest; Transition River Cumberland Woodland; Hills Forest) Flat Gum) White activity environment Reach ValuesReach Threats Reach recommendations Reach management • cover Good riparian vegetation • Signifi • fi recreational Popular • boating non-motor Popular • Identifi • Signifi • cover Good riparian vegetation • Signifi • fi recreational Popular • boating non-motor Popular • access High public recreation • Identifi • Signifi • Signifi Riparian Land Management Category Assisted Assisted Regeneration Assisted Assisted Regeneration uence uence Description From confl From of Cataract bridge to River at Menangle of upstream the Camden township to Bents Basin to including gorge urban Camden area Reach Name Reach Nepean R1 Nepean R2 Menangle From Reach Management Recommendations – Nepean River Subcatchment – Nepean River Recommendations Reach Management

66 66 HAWKESBURY NEPEAN CATCHMENT MANAGEMENT AUTHORITY HAWKESBURY NEPEAN RIVER HEALTH STRATEGY Reach Management Recommendations – Nepean River Subcatchment

Reach Name Reach Riparian Land Reach Values Reach Threats Reach management recommendations Description Management (Planning, Education, Works, Monitoring, Institutional) Category

Nepean R3 Bents Basin Assisted • Good riparian vegetation • Aquatic weed outbreaks (Alligator Weed, Salvinia, • Management of aquatic weeds (P,I) Gorge Regeneration • Good river condition Water Hyacinth) • Manage human impacts at public recreation river access • World Heritage Area (small section • Damaging access (humans) points and along foreshores (P,W) between Nortons Basin and • Flow regulation • Water quantity / fl ow management (I) Warragamba River confl uence) • Flow extraction • Water quality / nutrient management (I) • Signifi cant vegetation community • Water quality • Maintenance of recreational values - recreational water (Cumberland Shale Sandstone quality (M) Transition Forest; Cumberland Shale • Increase community capacity for environmental Hills Woodland; Cumberland River restoration (E) Flat Forest; Cumberland Shale Hills • Develop conservation management agreements to Woodland) protect remnant riparian vegetation (P) • Popular recreational fi shing • Popular non-motor boating • Popular swimming • High public recreation access • Identifi ed fl agship species (Platypus; Bass; Camden White Gum) • River based tourism contributes to regional economy

Nepean R4 Bottom of Assisted • Good riparian vegetation • Occasional aquatic weed outbreaks • Management of aquatic weeds (P,I) Bents Basin to Regeneration • Good river condition • Barriers to ecosystem functioning • Aquatic habitat condition and connectivity improvement confl uence with • Popular recreational fi shing • Flow regulation (P,W) Warragamba • Popular non-motor boating • Flow extraction • Maintenance of recreational values – recreational water River, including • Popular swimming (Douglas Park) • Potential threat from subdivision and long wall quality (M) Nortons Basin • Identifi ed fl agship species (Platypus; mining • Increase community capacity for environmental Bass; birds; echidnas) restoration (E) • Signifi cant irrigation water supply • Develop conservation management agreements to protect remnant riparian vegetation (P)

67 Appendix 4.2 Subcatchment summaries Nepean River management (I) ow management (I) ow quality (M) (P) riparian vegetation remnant protect practices in riparian lands (E) (E,W)points and along foreshores (P,W) quality (M) activity (E,P) (Planning, Education, Works, Monitoring, Institutional) Monitoring, Works, Education, (Planning, • (P,I) Management of aquatic weeds • quantity / fl Water • water values – recreational of recreational Maintenance • conservation to Develop management agreements • (W) riparian vegetation of exotic Removal/replacement • management Riparian wetland • Management of aquatic weeds • Management impact of stock on waterways (W) • adoption of sustainable land management Encourage • access river Manage human impacts at public recreation • and connectivity habitat condition improvement Aquatic • quantity / fl Water • quality / nutrient management (I) Water • quality Urban water and sediment management (I,W) • water values – recreational of recreational Maintenance • Maintain existing community based environmental river. degrading sand channel (extensive ed / engineered Water Hyacinth) Water mining; Penrith Weir; Penrith Lakes) Penrith Weir; mining; Penrith Pampas of Heaven, Tree Lantana, Gleditsia, Privet, Vines) Grass, Weed) Hyacinth, Alligator points) and humans at public access sediment runoff • Salvinia, Weed, (Alligator outbreaks weed Aquatic regulation • Flow extraction • Flow • Modifi • (willows, invasion weed Extremely high woody • Water (Salvinia, outbreaks aquatic weed Frequent • land on private high – stock access Damaging • Weir) functioning (Penrith ecosystem Barriers to regulation • Flow extraction • Flow quality • Water • nutrient and Urban land use – Stormwater cance shing shing agship species agship ed fl ed community cant vegetation community cant vegetation supply cant irrigation water cant community based length) (Cumberland Shale Sandstone Shale Sandstone (Cumberland Shale Cumberland Forest; Transition River Cumberland Woodland; Hills Forest) Flat and Tench city including (Penrith Reserves) Weir birdlife) Bass, (Australian economy regional activity environment Reach ValuesReach Threats Reach recommendations Reach management • Good riparian vegetation • condition Good river • (most of reach Heritage Area World • Signifi • fi recreational Popular • boating motor Popular • boating non-motor Popular • species (Sea Eagle) Flagship • Good riparian vegetation • signifi of regional Wetlands • Signifi • fi recreational Popular • boating motor Popular • boating non-motor Popular swimming • Popular • access High public recreation • Identifi • Signifi • to contributes based tourism River • Signifi Riparian Land Management Category Assisted Assisted Regeneration Assisted Assisted Regeneration uence with uence Description Nortons Basin to end of Nepean Gorge gorge to to gorge confl River the Grose including Penrith Lakes and Penrith Reach Name Reach Nepean R5 of bottom From Nepean R6 End of Nepean Reach Management Recommendations – Nepean River Subcatchment – Nepean River Recommendations Reach Management

68 68 HAWKESBURY NEPEAN CATCHMENT MANAGEMENT AUTHORITY HAWKESBURY NEPEAN RIVER HEALTH STRATEGY weed zones. invasion existsintheriparian zones.along theriparian woody although heavy habitat corridors The watercourses form important extremely however,the catchment’s remnants low; ofendangered streams vegetation important there isvery are somevery areasurban andagricultural runoff A numberofmajorSewerage Treatment Plants discharge into Creek South andthese, alongwithstormwater from which hasgreatly altered andecologyofthewatercourses. thegeomorphology inthecatchment are causingchangesto hydrology surfaces impervious increasing Increasing urbanisation. Hydrological andsedimentregimes have beendramaticallyaltered dueto catchment vegetation clearanceand Nepean. South Creek themostdegraded subcatchment subcatchment isperhaps in theHawkesbury Nepeancatchment. PlainCumberland intheHawkesbury “meandering vertical” streams, river channeltypes which are undergreat threat astheyare confi nedlargely to the catchment withnogorges orsandstone dominatedis ashale-based landscapes. ofthestreams areThe majority The SouthCreek subcatchment Plain encompasses mostoftheCumberland of Western Sydney. The catchment , contribute to ofthestreams., contribute thepoorwater quality potential of The recovery

South Creek Subcatchment

69 Appendix 4.2 Subcatchment summaries South Creek management (I,W)ow management (I) ow management (I) ow practices in riparian lands (E) (E,W)points and along foreshores (E) restoration practices in riparian lands (E) (E,W)points and along foreshores (P,W) (E,P) (P,W) (E) restoration (Planning, Education, Works, Monitoring, Institutional) Monitoring, Works, Education, (Planning, • (W) with indigenous riparian vegetation Revegetation • Management of aquatic weeds • Management impact of stock on waterways (W) • adoption of sustainable land management Encourage • access river Manage human impacts at public recreation • (W) riparian vegetation of exotic Removal/replacement • environmental Increase community capacity for • quantity / fl Water • quality / nutrient management (I) Water • (W) with indigenous riparian vegetation Revegetation • (W) riparian vegetation of exotic Removal/replacement • (W) riparian vegetation of exotic Removal/replacement • management Riparian wetland • Management of aquatic weeds • Management impact of stock on waterways (W) • adoption of sustainable land management Encourage • access river Manage human impacts at public recreation • and connectivity habitat condition improvement Aquatic • quantity / fl Water • quality / nutrient management (I) Water • activity Maintain existing community based environment • Management of aquatic weeds • and connectivity habitat condition improvement Aquatic • quantity Urban water and fl • quality Urban water and sediment management (I,W) • environmental Increase community capacity for channel (local stormwater ed / engineered channel ed / engineered channel ed / engineered Hyacinth) works) quality) Hyacinth) at public sites) human access damaging Vertical) weeds) sediments) • Modifi • Modifi • invasion High weed woody • Water (Salvinia and outbreaks weed Aquatic • extraction functioning ecosystem Barriers to • Flow quality • Water Triggers Action • impact quality – water downstream Severe • outbreaks weed Aquatic • extraction (humans and stock) access Damaging • Flow quality • Water Triggers Action • impact water (weeds; downstream Severe • Modifi • Privet) Olive, (African invasion Highweed woody • Water (Salvinia, outbreaks weed Aquatic • land and on private (stock access Damaging • extraction functioning ecosystem Barriers to • Flow quality • Water Triggers Action • category river (Meandering Rare or threatened • impacts quality (water downstream and Severe • in bed (contaminants threat immediate Severe ) shing agship species agship ed fl ed community cant vegetation community cant vegetation supply cant irrigation water cant community based (McGrathscance Hill Eucalyptus beaureana Eucalyptus (Cumberland Shale Hills Woodland) Shale Hills (Cumberland discontinuous) signifi Wetlands) (Meandering Vertical) Shale Plains (Cumberland Flat River Cumberland Woodland; Shale-Gravel Castlereagh Forest; Forest) Transition ( Park) Regional (Sydney environment activity environment Reach ValuesReach Threats Reach recommendations Reach management • (but cover Good riparian vegetation • or state of regional Wetland • category river Rare or threatened • Signifi • fi recreational Popular • Identifi • Signifi • Signifi Revegetation • Signifi Riparian Land Management Category Assisted Assisted Regeneration Revegetation • access High public recreation ll ll section to uence with uence ned section ned and fi confl Hawkesbury River at Windsor College to end to College of cut and fi section Regional Park to to Park Regional confi Description South R1 St Gregorys South R2 end of cut From Reach Name Reach Eastern R1Eastern from Headwater Reach Management Recommendations – South Creek Subcatchment – South Creek Recommendations Reach Management

70 70 HAWKESBURY NEPEAN CATCHMENT MANAGEMENT AUTHORITY HAWKESBURY NEPEAN RIVER HEALTH STRATEGY Reach Management Recommendations – South Creek Subcatchment

Reach Name Reach Riparian Land Reach Values Reach Threats Reach management recommendations Description Management (Planning, Education, Works, Monitoring, Institutional) Category

Eastern R2 Concrete lined Revegetation • Fully engineered channel – concrete lined • Revegetation with indigenous riparian vegetation (W) channel • Aquatic weed outbreaks (Salvinia; Water • Management of aquatic weeds Hyacinth) • Flow extraction • Water quality • Urbanisation • Lack of community based environment activity

Action Triggers • Severe downstream impacts – water quality; fl ow alteration through concrete section

Eastern R3 From concrete Assisted • Good riparian vegetation cover • Modifi ed / engineered channel • Riparian wetland management lined section to Regeneration • Wetland of local signifi cance • High woody weed invasion • Removal/replacement of exotic riparian vegetation (W) confl uence with • Rare or threatened river category • Aquatic weed outbreaks (Salvinia, Water • Management of aquatic weeds South Creek (Meandering Vertical) Hyacinth) • Management of stock impact on waterways (W) • Signifi cant vegetation community • Damaging access (stock mainly with some • Encourage adoption of sustainable land management (Cumberland Shale Plains Woodland; human access damage on public land) practices in riparian lands (E) Cumberland River Flat Forest) • Barriers to ecosystem functioning (weirs) • Manage human impacts at public recreation river access • High public recreation access • Flow extraction points and along foreshores (E,W) • Signifi cant irrigation water supply • Water quality • Aquatic habitat condition and connectivity improvement • Some community based • Future urban development will further disrupt (P,W) environment activity natural hydrology • Urban water quantity / fl ow management (I) • Water quality / nutrient management (I) Action Triggers • Increase community capacity for environmental • Rare or threatened river category (Meandering restoration (E) Vertical) • Severe downstream impacts (weeds, water quality)

Ropes R1 Headwaters from Revegetation • High woody weed invasion • Revegetation with indigenous riparian vegetation (W) Cecil Park on • Modifi ed / engineered channel (stormwater • Removal/replacement of exotic riparian vegetation (W) Elizabeth Drive to structures) • Management of aquatic weeds confi ned section • Aquatic weed outbreaks (Salvinia; Water • Manage human impacts at public recreation river access Hyacinth) points and along foreshores (E,W) • Damaging access (human access points) • Aquatic habitat condition and connectivity improvement • Barriers to ecosystem functioning (P,W) • Flow extraction • Urban water quantity and fl ow management (I) • Water quality • Urban water quality and sediment management (I,W) • Lack of community based environment activity • Increase community capacity for environmental restoration (E) Action Triggers • Severe downstream impacts – water quality; weeds.

71 Appendix 4.2 Subcatchment summaries South Creek management (I) ow management (I) ow restoration (E) restoration restoration (E) restoration (E,W)points and along foreshores (P,W) • Management of aquatic weeds • quantity / fl Water • quality / nutrient management (I) Water • environmental Increase community capacity for • (W) riparian vegetation of exotic Removal/replacement • environmental Increase community capacity for • (I,W) Management of aquatic weeds • access river Manage human impacts at public recreation • and connectivity habitat condition improvement Aquatic • quantity Urban water and fl • quality Urban water / nutrient management (I,W) • (W) with indigenous riparian vegetation Revegetation • Management of aquatic weeds (Planning, Education, Works, Monitoring, Institutional) Monitoring, Works, Education, (Planning, ned channel (bank confi ed / engineered channel ed / engineered section) Hyacinth) Hyacinth) and walking tracks) nutrient and sediment input) Vertical) quality) sediments) Hyacinth) • Water (Salvinia, outbreaks weed Aquatic extraction • Flow quality • Water • Modifi • Modifi • (Privet) invasion Highweed woody • Water (Salvinia; outbreaks weed Aquatic • 4WD (Humans – bike tracks, access Damaging • functioning ecosystem Barriers to extraction • Flow quality • Water • and Urban land use impacts (changed hydrology Triggers Action • category river (Meandering Rare or threatened • impact and water (weeds downstream Severe • bed (polluted threat immediate Severe • Water (Salvinia; outbreaks weed Aquatic extraction • Flow quality • Water Triggers Action • impacts quality – water downstream Severe Grevillia Grevillia ) Species ( ed Flagship community cant vegetation community cant vegetation (Castlereagh Shale-Gravel Transition Transition Shale-Gravel (Castlereagh Forest) junipera activity environment (Meandering Vertical) Shale Plains (Cumberland Flat River Cumberland Woodland; Shale – Gravel Castlereagh Forest; Forest) Transition • cover Good riparian vegetation • Signifi • Some community based • Good riparian vegetation • category river Rare or threatened • Signifi • Identifi Reach ValuesReach Threats Reach recommendations Reach management Assisted Assisted Regeneration Assisted Assisted Regeneration Revegetation • lined channel – concrete engineered Fully Riparian Land Management Category ned 2.5km section startfrom of the to ADI site junction with South Creek pipeline crossing pipeline crossing startto of former just ADI site junction above with South Creek channel from channel from Rd Lincoln the to crossing Water Sydeny supply pipeline Description Creeks of Community Concern: Blaxland Creek Concern: of Community Creeks Ropes R4 Bank confi Ropes R3 water Sydney Ropes R2 lined Concrete Reach Name Reach Reach Management Recommendations – South Creek Subcatchment – South Creek Recommendations Reach Management

72 72 HAWKESBURY NEPEAN CATCHMENT MANAGEMENT AUTHORITY HAWKESBURY NEPEAN RIVER HEALTH STRATEGY related to theprotection andrestoration ofhabitatfor theCopper Wing Butterfl y. basedenvironmental byahighlevelThe subcatchment ofcommunity ischaracterised activity, muchofwhichis water.town drinking signifi theneedsofvery impoundments serve ofthisarea andprovide generationindustry cantelectricity Dam attheheadwaters ofthe islocatedThompsons creek onFarmers Asmallerreservoir tributary. Creek. The The Coxs isimpoundedatLake River Wallace Lyell, andLake withanotherlarge impoundmentat Thompsons for management to protectshould beapriority itfrom degradation. potential islocated intheupperreaches oftheCoxs River. ofthesubcatchment and This isauniqueaspect Ponds rareAn extremely ingoodconditionwithahighrecovery exampleofaChainOf channel type river industry, agriculture and grazing, andsomecreeks are highlymodifi developments. edbyurban the rivers. However, reaches ofriver are themajority highlydegraded. clearedThe landhasbeenextensively for goodconditionwithamanagementfocus onconservation. in very These aretheheadwater reaches typically of subcatchment, ranging from ChainofPonds to fullyconcrete channels. linedurban reaches Anumberofriver are Nepean The UpperCoxs subcatchment ofany River containsthelargest Hawkesbury channeltypes range ofriver

Upper Coxs River Subcatchment

73 Appendix 4.2 Subcatchment summaries Upper Coxs River management (I) ow management (I) ow management (I) ow agreements to protect remnant riparian vegetation and riparian vegetation remnant protect to agreements geomorphology (P) (P,W) practices in riparian lands (E,P) (P,E) practices in riparian lands (E) (P,W) (E) restoration (P,W) practices in riparian lands (E,P) (E,W)points and along foreshores (E) restoration protect remnant riparian vegetation (P) riparian vegetation remnant protect • and implement conservation Develop management • and connectivity habitat condition improvement Aquatic • management Riparian wetland • Management impacts of stock on waterways (W) • adoption of sustainable land management Encourage • quantity / fl Water • activity Maintain existing community based environment • (W) with indigenous riparian vegetation Revegetation • Management impacts of stock on waterways (W) • adoption of sustainable land management Encourage • and connectivity habitat condition improvement Aquatic • (W) riparian vegetation of exotic Removal/replacement • quantity / fl Water • quality Urban water and sediment management (I,W) • environmental Increase community capacity for • and connectivity habitat condition improvement Aquatic • Management impacts of stock on waterways (W) • adoption of sustainable land management Encourage • quantity / fl Water • access river Manage human impacts at public recreation • environmental Increase community capacity for (Planning, Education, Works, Monitoring, Institutional) Monitoring, Works, Education, (Planning, • conservation to Develop management agreements c points c channel ed / engineered subcatchment if moves downstream) if moves subcatchment reach supply to – stock and human) – stock quarry • – stock access Damaging • functioning ecosystem Barriers to extraction • Flow • mine de-watering from threat future Potential • Modifi access • Damaging • functioning ecosystem Barriers to regulation • Flow extraction Wallerawang • Flow from • Stormwater • infest – could Creek in Pipers Gorse (source Triggers Action • impact – Dam in reach downstream Severe • sediment – coarse threat immediate Severe • specifi to (limited access Damaging • functioning ecosystem Barriers to regulation • Flow extraction • Flow Triggers Action • rock hard from threat immediate severe Potential cance (Long (Long cance shing shing shing cant community based supply cant irrigation water Swamp) of Ponds) (Chain activity environment • Good riparian vegetation • of local signifi Wetland • category river Rare or threatened • condition Good river • High potential geomorphic recovery • fi recreational Popular • Signifi • boating non-motor Popular • access High public recreation • Signifi • Good riparian vegetation • fi recreational Popular Reach ValuesReach Threats Reach recommendations Reach management Revegetation • fi recreational Popular Assisted Regeneration Conservation (top section of reach Chain of where is in Good Ponds Condition) Assisted Regeneration of (remainder reach) Riparian Land Management Category (Near Intact outside reserve) uence with uence Coxs R2 to Lake R2 to Coxs Wallace Wallerawang Dam (Lake upper to Wallace) edge of Lake Lyell Dam) (Lyell’s 5km of upstream to Swamp Long confl Wallerawang Colliery Creek Description Upper Coxs R3Upper Coxs Upper From R4Upper Coxs From Upper Coxs R1Upper Coxs Headwaters R2Upper Coxs Conservation approx. From Reach Name Reach Reach Management Recommendations – Upper Coxs River Subcatchment River – Upper Coxs Recommendations Reach Management

74 74 HAWKESBURY NEPEAN CATCHMENT MANAGEMENT AUTHORITY HAWKESBURY NEPEAN RIVER HEALTH STRATEGY Reach Management Recommendations – Upper Coxs River Subcatchment Reach Name Reach Riparian Land Reach Values Reach Threats Reach management recommendations Description Management (Planning, Education, Works, Monitoring, Institutional) Category

Thompsons From Thompsons Assisted • Good riparian vegetation • Modifi ed / engineered channel (Thompsons • Water quantity / fl ow management (I) Creek R1 Dam wall Regeneration • Popular recreational fi shing Creek Dam wall upstream) • Increase community capacity for environmental downstream to • Identifi ed fl agship species (Black • Flow extraction restoration (E) Pipers Flat Creek, Swan; Trout) • Thompsons Creek Dam upstream – changed through Falnash • Signifi cant irrigation water supply sediment and hydrology for this downstream State Forest • Some community based reach environment activity

Marangaroo Conservation • Develop conservation management agreements to R1 (Near Intact protect remnant riparian vegetation (P) outside reserve)

Marangaroo Section near Assisted • Good riparian vegetation • Barriers to ecosystem functioning • Aquatic habitat condition and connectivity improvement R2 “Fernbrook” Regeneration • Rare or threatened river category • Flow extraction (P,W) and Hermitage (meandering vertical) • Urbanising catchment – stormwater related • Urban water quality and sediment management (P,W) colliery • Identifi ed fl agship species (Platypus) threats such as sediment and nutrient input. • Water quantity / fl ow management (I) – upstream of • Mine dewatering from Springvale Colliery • Increase community capacity for environmental highway (R1 discharges into this reach which could aff ect restoration (E) headwater is near riparian vegetation intact and mostly in Newnes State Action Triggers Forest) • Rare river category (meandering vertical)

Marangaroo From colliery rail Assisted • Good riparian vegetation • Modifi ed / engineered channel (weir in reach • Aquatic habitat condition and connectivity improvement R3 line (upstream of Regeneration • Popular recreational fi shing aff ects the channel) (P,W) Wallerawang Rd) • Identifi ed fl agship species (Platypus) • Barriers to ecosystem functioning • Management of off -stream land use impacts (W) to Coxs River • Signifi cant irrigation water supply • Flow extraction • Water quantity / fl ow management (I) • Commercial fi shing (Trout Farm) • Potential sediment from quarry • Increase community capacity for environmental restoration (E)

Pipers Flat Whole length of Assisted • Good riparian vegetation cover • Modifi ed / engineered channel (reach includes • Manage human impacts at public recreation river access Creek R1 the creek to Coxs Regeneration • Signifi cant irrigation water supply Railway Dam) points and along foreshores (E,W) River junction. • Damaging access (industrial estate at • Water quantity / fl ow management (I) Includes railway Wallerawang) Urban water quality and sediment management (I,W) dam • Flow extraction Increase community capacity for environmental • Stormwater / industrial runoff from Wallerawang restoration (E) impacting on water quality

Action Triggers • Severe downstream impact (STP)

75 Appendix 4.2 Subcatchment summaries Upper Coxs River management (I) ow management (I) ow management (I) ow (P,W) riparian lands (P,E) (E) restoration (P) riparian vegetation remnant protect (P,W) (E,P) (P,W) (E) restoration protect remnant riparian vegetation (P) riparian vegetation remnant protect • and connectivity habitat condition improvement Aquatic • (P,W) riparian vegetation of exotic Removal/replacement • Management impacts of stock on waterways (W) • adoption of sustainable land use practices Encourage in • quantity / fl Water • quality Rural water and sediment management (P,W) • (P) planning and protection corridor River • environmental Increase community capacity for • conservation to Develop management agreements • (W) with indigenous riparian vegetation Revegetation • (W) riparian vegetation of exotic Removal/replacement • and connectivity habitat condition improvement Aquatic • quantity / fl Water • quality Urban water and sediment management (I,W) • activity Maintain existing community based environment • and connectivity habitat condition improvement Aquatic • quantity / fl Water • quality Urban water and sediment management (P,W) • environmental Increase community capacity for (Planning, Education, Works, Monitoring, Institutional) Monitoring, Works, Education, (Planning, • conservation to Develop management agreements channel (mostly concrete ed / engineered channel ed / engineered nutrients and increased ow channel concrete due to ow channel through urban area) channel through Heaven fl fl Algae) Blue Green stormwater; • Modifi • of Tree and – Broom invasion weed Woody • functioning ecosystem Barriers to regulation • Flow extraction • Flow • channel bed Cracking of concrete • and changed Urbanisation impact – stormwater Triggers Action • impact – discontinuity of downstream Severe • weed of Heaven Tree – threat immediate Severe • functioning ecosystem Barriers to regulation • Flow extraction • Flow • urban subdivision Sedimentation from Triggers Action • impact (STP discharge; downstream Severe • Modifi • Broom) (Scotch invasion High weed woody access • Damaging • functioning ecosystem Barriers to • (drinking regulation dams) water Flow extraction • Flow • side Subdivisions on creek y) agship species (Copper cant community based program cant environmental community cant vegetation environment activity (Lithgow environment Nursery)Community beside reach) (footpath tied to fl tied to ButterflWing Grassy Granite (Tableland Woodland) • Signifi • access High public recreation • condition Good river • drinking supply water Town • Good riparian vegetation • Signifi Reach ValuesReach Threats Reach recommendations Reach management Revegetation • Signifi Assisted Assisted Regeneration Assisted Assisted Regeneration Riparian Land Management Category (Near Intact outside reserve) ned reach reach ned tip discharge tip discharge upstream points, past of highway, Western Great and Highway railway, Western past Woollen Mill, of Lake top to Lyell. channelised running through urban to Lithgow just above area STP discharge point which includes Creek Farmers Dam, extending to Oakyfrom Park just downstream of mine rail at line crossing edge of upstream Morts Estate Description Farmers R3Farmers Largely R4Farmers STP and From Farmers R1Farmers R2Farmers Confi Conservation Reach Name Reach Reach Management Recommendations – Upper Coxs River Subcatchment River – Upper Coxs Recommendations Reach Management

76 76 HAWKESBURY NEPEAN CATCHMENT MANAGEMENT AUTHORITY HAWKESBURY NEPEAN RIVER HEALTH STRATEGY by subsidence associated with long wall mining activities (see by subsidenceassociated withlongwallmining activities Volume 2.12) 1,section The lower River, reach oftheCataract bedcaused oftheriver R2,hasbeenseverely Cataract bycracking impacted andthelowerNepean River Rivers. reaches ofthe UpperNepeanandCataract cattle)andrural-residentialareas development intheheadwaters ofagriculture oftheUpper (beefanddairy 50%ofthesubcatchment thelanduseinsubcatchment. isnative Over restricting forest, yet there are small ofthelandwithinthis subcatchment fallswithinthe SpecialAreasMost oftheSydney Catchment Authority, thus this subcatchment. (theNepean,Avon,rivers associated withthesedams/lakes Cordeaux are rivers) of themajorrivers and Cataract Cordeaux Lakes. andCataract ofthepotablewater supplyfor are metropolitan part These reservoirs Sydney. The subcatchmentThe UpperNepeanRiver containsfour large includingNepean,Avon, water supplyreservoirs

Upper Nepean River Subcatchment

77 Appendix 4.2 Subcatchment summaries Upper Nepean River management (I) ow riparian lands (P,E) (E) restoration (P) riparian vegetation remnant protect practices in riparian lands (E) activity (P,E) (P,W) quality (M) (E) restoration (P) riparian vegetation remnant protect • Management impacts of stock on waterways (W) • adoption of sustainable land use practices Encourage in • management – quantity (I) Water • environmental Increase community capacity for • conservation to Develop management agreements • Management of aquatic weeds • Management impacts of stock on waterways (W) • adoption of sustainable land management Encourage • quantity / fl Water • (W) with indigenous riparian vegetation Revegetation • Maintain existing community based environmental • (W) with indigenous riparian vegetation Revegetation • (P,I) Management of aquatic weeds • and connectivity habitat condition improvement Aquatic • water values – recreational of recreational Maintenance • environmental Increase community capacity for • conservation to Develop management agreements (Planning, Education, Works, Monitoring, Institutional) Monitoring, Works, Education, (Planning, (Hypercium melodes) (Hypercium Action Triggers and clearing) erosion mining • (stock) access Damaging extraction • Flow • outbreaks weed Aquatic • (stock) access Damaging extraction • Flow • in soils residues organochlorine Potential • category Rare river (meandering lateral) • bank (accelerated threat immediate Severe • outbreaks aquatic weed Occasional • functioning ecosystem Barriers to regulation • Flow extraction • Flow • subdivision and long wall from threat Potential shing agship species agship agship species (Platypus, ed fl ed fl ed community cant vegetation community cant vegetation supply cant irrigation water (Shale Basalt Sheltered Forest) (Shale Basalt Sheltered unique highland (Playtpus, macroinvertebrates) (meandering lateral) Forest) (Shale Basalt Sheltered echidnas) birds, Bass, • condition Good river • High potential geomorphic recovery • Signifi • Identifi • Signifi • Good riparian vegetation • condition Good river • fi recreational Popular • boating non-motor Popular • swimming (Douglas Park) Popular • Identifi • Signifi Reach ValuesReach Threats Reach recommendations Reach management Revegetation • category river Rare or threatened Assisted Regeneration Conservation • Good riparian vegetation Riparian Land Management Category uence uence ned uence uence and uences, uences: From end of From (R1) Headwater Road Tourist to confl From with Cordeaux to River confl with Cataract Gorge River. Cordeaux from River Bargo to confl then confi to Bargo from Cataract River confl includes Pheasants nest and Maldon Weirs. From Robertson From pie shop to Kangaloon Depot Headwaters Description Upper Nepean R2 Upper Nepean R4 Upper Nepean R1 Reach Name Reach Reach Management Recommendations – Upper Nepean River Subcatchment – Upper Nepean River Recommendations Reach Management

78 78 HAWKESBURY NEPEAN CATCHMENT MANAGEMENT AUTHORITY HAWKESBURY NEPEAN RIVER HEALTH STRATEGY Reach Management Recommendations – Upper Nepean River Subcatchment

Reach Name Reach Riparian Land Reach Values Reach Threats Reach management recommendations Description Management (Planning, Education, Works, Monitoring, Institutional) Category

Cataract R2 Part of Cataract Assisted • Good riparian vegetation • Barriers to ecosystem functioning (Broughtons • Aquatic habitat condition and connectivity improvement R2 from wall Regeneration • Good river condition Pass weir; Riverbed cracking) (P,W) of Broughtons • Signifi cant vegetation community • Flow regulation • Water quantity / fl ow management (I) Pass Weir to (Warm Temperate Layered Forest) • Flow extraction • Water quality / nutrient management (I) confl uence with • Water quality • Channel bed / bank stabilisation works – riverbed Nepean River cracking (W) Note: This reach Action Triggers • Increase community capacity for environmental was considered • Severe immediate threat – riverbed cracking restoration (E) as a special case, from mine subsidence • Develop conservation management agreements to with the process protect remnant riparian vegetation (P) documenting, where relevant, the change in the riverbed cracking in 1994.

Near Intact reaches within Reserved Lands: Avon R1, Avon R2, Cordeaux R1, Cataract R1, Upper Nepean R3

79 Appendix 4.2 Subcatchment summaries Upper Nepean River 80 80 HAWKESBURY NEPEAN CATCHMENT MANAGEMENT AUTHORITY HAWKESBURY NEPEAN RIVER HEALTH STRATEGY There inthissubcatchment. basedenvironment isahighlevel ofcommunity activity to recovertheir ability from pastdamaging activities. Tussock are emerging. The damshave alsochangedthehydrology ofthedownstream reaches whichisaff There isasignifi onthe Serrated cant willowthreat, of RiverFenwicks/Sooley particularly andsomepockets water to thetownship ofGoulburn. drinking River. There are alsoanumberofweirs andMarsden includingRossi Weirs. andweirs provideThese reservoirs within thesubcatchment: Pejar DamontheUpper Wollondilly andSooleyDamontheFenwicks/Sooley River areGoulburn more severely thantheupperreaches. bylanduseactivities impacted There are reservoirs two for asignifi and, more cant grazing industry recently, for rural-residential development. Thelower reaches near Much ofthelandinthissubcatchment andfl cleared hasbeenhistorically ofitsriparian oodplain vegetation landsinthesubcatchment. reserved located adjacentto thewestward flRiver Basin. subcatchment owingLachlan Darling oftheMurray There are no The Upper Nepeancatchment,Wollondilly andis subcatchment contains thehighestpointinHawkesbury

ecting ecting Upper Wollondilly River Subcatchment

81 Appendix 4.2 Subcatchment summaries Upper Wollondilly River ow management ow ow management (I) management ow ow management (I) management ow practices in riparian lands (E) (E,P) practices in riparian lands (E) (P,W) (E,P) (E,P) practices in riparian lands (E) (P,W) (E,P) (Planning, Education, Works, Monitoring, Institutional) Monitoring, Works, Education, (Planning, • Management impacts of stock on waterways (W) • adoption of sustainable land management Encourage • (W) riparian vegetation of exotic Removal/replacement • quantity / fl Water • quantity Urban water / fl • activity Maintain existing community based environment • (W) with indigenous riparian vegetation Revegetation • Management impacts of stock on waterways (W) • adoption of sustainable land management Encourage • and connectivity habitat condition improvement Aquatic • quality water and sediment management (W) Rural • activity Maintain existing community based environment • (W) with indigenous riparian vegetation Revegetation • (W) with indigenous riparian vegetation Revegetation • activity Maintain existing community based environment • Management impacts of stock on waterways (W) • adoption of sustainable land management Encourage • and connectivity habitat condition improvement Aquatic • Riparianmanagement wetland • quantity / fl Water • activity Maintain existing community based environment uence uence (infl cation / engineering cation / engineering from downstream dams and v-notch weirs) dams and v-notch downstream from • Channel modifi • Channel • extraction - slight) (stock access Damaging • Flow tussock • Serrated hydrology • Willows changing • Subdivision • Channel modifi • Channel access • Damaging • regulation functioning ecosystem Barriers to • Flow extraction • Flow • tussock sediment Gullies on valley sides contributing • Serrated • (stock) access Damaging • regulation functioning ecosystem Barriers to • Flow extraction • Flow • of riverbanks animal degradation Native cance shing shing shing agship species (Platypus) agship species (Platypus ed fl ed community cant vegetation supply cant irrigation water cant community based community cant vegetation supply cant irrigation water cant community based community cant vegetation program cant environmental supply cant irrigation water cant community based (Frost Hollow Grassy Woodland) Grassy Hollow (Frost activity environment (Frost Hollow Grassy Woodland) Grassy Hollow (Frost activity environment (Tableland Grassy Box-Gum Grassy Box-Gum (Tableland Woodland) fl tied to – Phosphorus Action) activity environment Reach ValuesReach Threats Reach recommendations Reach management • Signifi • fi recreational Popular • Signifi • Signifi • fi recreational Popular • Identifi • Signifi • Signifi • of local signifi Wetland • Signifi • fi recreational Popular • access High public recreation • Signifi • Signifi • Signifi Riparian Land Management Category Revegetation • High potential geomorphic recovery Revegetation • Signifi Revegetation ned Description reaches with reaches dam in Pejar middle All 3 confi From R2 to Rossi R2 to From wall Weir [Geomorphic categorisation reach of streams rural split into (R3) and urban (R4)] Reach Name Reach Upper Wollondilly Upper Wollondilly R1 Upper Wollondilly Upper Wollondilly R2 Upper Wollondilly Upper Wollondilly R3 Reach Management Recommendations – Upper Wollondilly River Subcatchment River Wollondilly – Upper Recommendations Reach Management

82 82 HAWKESBURY NEPEAN CATCHMENT MANAGEMENT AUTHORITY HAWKESBURY NEPEAN RIVER HEALTH STRATEGY Reach Management Recommendations – Upper Wollondilly River Subcatchment

Reach Name Reach Riparian Land Reach Values Reach Threats Reach management recommendations Description Management (Planning, Education, Works, Monitoring, Institutional) Category

Upper Wollondilly Downstream of Revegetation • Signifi cant vegetation community • Channel modifi cation / engineering (urban • Revegetation with indigenous riparian vegetation (W) R4 Rossi Weir wall, (Tableland Grassy Box-Gum stormwater structures) • Removal/replacement of exotic riparian vegetation (W) past Marsden Woodland) • High woody weed invasion (willows) • Management of stock impacts on waterways (W) Weir, through • Popular recreational fi shing • Damaging access (stock; humans associated with • Encourage adoption of sustainable land management urban area of • High public recreation access urban area) practices in riparian lands (E) Goulburn to • Signifi cant environmental program • Barriers to ecosystem functioning • Manage human impacts at public recreation river access confl uence with tied to fl agship species (Platypus • Flow regulation points and along foreshores (E,W) Mulwaree River – Phosphorus Action) • Flow extraction • Aquatic habitat condition and connectivity improvement • Signifi cant irrigation water supply • Water quality (urban area) (P,W) [Geomorphic • Signifi cant community based • Urbanisation impacts – sediment, nutrient and • Water quantity / fl ow management (I) categorisation environment activity hydrology impacts) • Urban water quality and sediment management (I,W) of streams reach • Subdivision • Urban water quantity and fl ow management (I,W) split into rural • Groundwater extraction • Maintain existing community based environment activity (R3) and urban (E,P) (R4)] Action Triggers • Severe downstream impacts – water quality and urbanisation impacts

Fenwicks / Sooley Revegetation • Rare or threatened river category • Channel modifi cation / engineering (in-line dam • Revegetation with indigenous riparian vegetation (W) R1 (Chain of Ponds) in headwaters; transformation from Chain of • Channel bed or bank stabilisation works (W) Ponds by incision) • Management of stock impacts on waterways (W) • Damaging access (stock) • Encourage adoption of sustainable land management • Flow extraction practices in riparian lands (E) • Loss of Chain of Ponds • Water quantity / fl ow management (I) • Gullies contributing sediment • Rural water quality and sediment management (W) • Possible salinity issues • Salinity management works (W) • Increase community capacity for environmental Action Triggers restoration (E) • Rare river category (Chain of Ponds)

Fenwicks / Sooley Conservation • Good riparian vegetation • Damaging access • Management of stock impacts on waterways (W) R2 • Good river condition • Flow extraction • Encourage adoption of sustainable land use practices in • High geomorphic recovery potential riparian lands (P,E) • Signifi cant vegetation community Action Triggers • Water management – quantity (I) (Tableland Grassy Box-Gum • Severe immediate threat (Willows) • Removal/replacement of exotic riparian vegetation Woodland) (especially Willows) • Increase community capacity for environmental restoration (E) • Develop conservation management agreements to protect remnant riparian vegetation (P)

83 Appendix 4.2 Subcatchment summaries Upper Wollondilly River ow management (I) management ow ow management (I) management ow ow management (I) management ow practices in riparian lands (E) (P,W) (E) restoration points and along foreshores (E,W)points and along foreshores (P,W) (E) restoration (P,W) (E) restoration (Planning, Education, Works, Monitoring, Institutional) Monitoring, Works, Education, (Planning, • Management impacts of stock on waterways (W) • adoption of sustainable land management Encourage • and connectivity habitat condition improvement Aquatic • (W) with indigenous riparian vegetation Revegetation • quantity / fl Water • environmental Increase community capacity for • (W) with indigenous riparian vegetation Revegetation • access river Manage human impacts at public recreation • and connectivity habitat condition improvement Aquatic • quantity / fl Water • (W) riparian vegetation of exotic Removal/replacement • Riparianmanagement (I) wetland • environmental Increase community capacity for • Riparianmanagement wetland • (W) with indigenous riparian vegetation Revegetation • and connectivity habitat condition improvement Aquatic • quantity / fl Water • environmental Increase community capacity for • (W) Salinity management works • quality water and sediment management (W) Rural ects) ect quality water and (dam has cation / engineering upstream and downstream eff and downstream upstream reach) of dam) upstream riparian vegetation • (stock) access Damaging • extraction functioning ecosystem Barriers to • Flow Triggers Action • style Rare (meandering lateral) river • Channel modifi • sections is fencing of (council access Damaging • functioning ecosystem Barriers to • extraction (dam) regulation Flow • Flow • (mainly in small quantity but high threat Willows • of dam wall raising Possibility • (stock) access Damaging • extraction functioning ecosystem Barriers to • Flow • aff Salinity to – beginning cance shing shing agship species (Platypus) ed fl ed community cant vegetation supply cant irrigation water community cant vegetation (Tableland Grassy Box-Gum Grassy Box-Gum (Tableland Woodland) (meandering lateral) Grassy Box-Gum (Tableland Woodland) Reach ValuesReach Threats Reach recommendations Reach management • Signifi • Signifi • drinking water Town • fi recreational Popular • Identifi • fi recreational Popular • drinking water Town Riparian Land Management Category Revegetation • of local signifi Wetland Description Reach Name Reach Fenwicks / Sooley Fenwicks R3 R1Pejar Revegetation • Signifi Kialla R1 Revegetation • category river Rare or threatened Reach Management Recommendations – Upper Wollondilly River Subcatchment River Wollondilly – Upper Recommendations Reach Management

84 84 HAWKESBURY NEPEAN CATCHMENT MANAGEMENT AUTHORITY HAWKESBURY NEPEAN RIVER HEALTH STRATEGY environment activity atpresent.environment activity Webbs Creek isahighlyvaluedrecreational fi shinglocation. There isnosignifi based cantcommunity of thelower reaches hasresulted andfl indamageandlossofriparian oodplain vegetation. subcatchment iswell vegetated andwithintheNationalPark estate. Someruraldevelopment onthevalleyfl oor The at from thenorth WebbsWisemans Ferry. Estuary Creek ofthe subcatchment Most enters theHawkesbury

Webbs Creek Subcatchment

85 Appendix 4.2 Subcatchment summaries Webbs Creek practices in riparian lands (E) (P,W) (P,W) (E) restoration Very small section Nearly Very outside reserve. in headwaters is in National Park all of the reach (P) riparian vegetation remnant protect practices in riparian lands (E,P) (E) restoration • (W) with indigenous riparian vegetation Revegetation • Management impacts of stock on waterways (W) • adoption of sustainable land management Encourage • and connectivity habitat condition improvement Aquatic • management Riparian wetland • Management impacts of stock on waterways (W) • and connectivity habitat condition improvement Aquatic • environmental Increase community capacity for • conservation to Develop management agreements • Management impacts of stock on waterways (W) • adoption of sustainable land management Encourage • environmental Increase community capacity for (Planning, Education, Works, Monitoring, Institutional) Monitoring, Works, Education, (Planning, • (stock) access Damaging • functioning ecosystem Barriers to • Soils Sulfate Acid Potential • – extensive) (stock access Damaging • functioning ecosystem Barriers to • soils sulfate Acid • (stock) access Damaging • Soils Sulfate Acid Potential cance cance cance cance shing agship species agship agship species agship ed fl ed community cant vegetation fl cant community cant vegetation community cant vegetation supply cant irrigation water (SREP 20) Bass and Estuary(Australian Perch) (SREP 20 Wetlands) (SREP 20 Bass; Estuary(Australian Perch) • cover Good riparian vegetation • signifi of regional Wetlands • Signifi • fi recreational Popular • Signifi • Signifi • Identifi • Good riparian vegetation • Signifi • Signifi Reach ValuesReach Threats Reach recommendations Reach management Assisted Assisted Regeneration (Near Intact – outside reserve) Revegetation • signifi of regional Wetland Assisted Assisted Regeneration Riparian Land Management Category ned oodplain uence down down uence oodplain opens oodplain limit of tidal infl junctionto with the Hawkesbury River. the fl clearly becomes the evident to tidal upstream limit. reach from where where from reach exits gorge creek downstream the where to fl up. Description Webbs TidalWebbs From upstream Arm R1Left Conservation Near Intact within Reserved Lands: Webbs R1 Webbs Near Intact within Reserved Lands: Webbs R3Webbs where From Webbs R2Webbs Small confi Reach Name Reach Reach Management Recommendations – Webbs Creek Subcatchment Creek Webbs – Recommendations Reach Management

86 86 HAWKESBURY NEPEAN CATCHMENT MANAGEMENT AUTHORITY HAWKESBURY NEPEAN RIVER HEALTH STRATEGY to thecreek. The failedweir on Lane,Timothy Lacy isadjacent The Oaks, iscreating bedandbankerosion, andtheOaksAirport Threats to runoff inthesubcatchment therivers includeurban There isatrend to increasing ruralresidential development. The subcatchment containsanumberofruralvillages suchas The Oakswithamixofforest land. andfarming ofthelower reaches.some sections fl CreekWerriberri isatributary Burragorang. owinginto Lake Area covers State TheBurragorang Conservation and nutrient inputfrom andnutrient un-sewered properties.

Werriberri Creek Subcatchment

87 Appendix 4.2 Subcatchment summaries Werriberri Creek management (I) ow practices in riparian lands (E,P) (E) restoration (P,W) (E) restoration (Planning, Education, Works, Monitoring, Institutional) Monitoring, Works, Education, (Planning, • Management impacts of stock on waterways (W) • adoption of sustainable land management Encourage • (W) Channel bed or bank stabilisation works • quantity / fl Water • environmental Increase community capacity for • and connectivity habitat condition improvement Aquatic • (W) riparian vegetation of exotic Removal/replacement • management - quality and quantity (I) Water • environmental Increase community capacity for ll reach ll and fi • (stock) access Damaging • functioning ecosystem Barriers to extraction • Flow • and channel incision Erosion • functioning ecosystem Barriers to extraction • Flow quality • Water • cut upstream supplied from Sediment and weeds ) agship species agship agship species (National ed fl ed ed fl ed community cant vegetation cant community based Eucalyptus benthamii Eucalyptus (Cumberland Shale Hills Woodland; Woodland; Shale Hills (Cumberland Forest) Flat River Cumberland ( environment activity environment Area Park) • Good riparian vegetation • Signifi • Identifi Reach ValuesReach Threats Reach recommendations Reach management • Signifi • Good riparian vegetation • Conservation Burragorang State • Identifi • Irrigation supply (nursery) water Assisted Assisted Regeneration Riparian Land Management Category Assisted Assisted Regeneration State Conservation – from Area) Orangeville Lake to Burragorang. (cnr Sheehy’s (cnr Sheehy’s 5km Rd, Creek south of Oakdale) Orangeville to (cnr Silverdale Rd and Big Hill near the Road, Oak Ridge Horse complex) Description Werriberri R1Werriberri headwater From R2Werriberri (Burragorang R1 Tributary Werriberri Near Intact within Reserved Lands: Reach Name Reach Reach Management Recommendations – Werriberri Creek Subcatchment Creek Werriberri – Recommendations Reach Management

88 88 HAWKESBURY NEPEAN CATCHMENT MANAGEMENT AUTHORITY HAWKESBURY NEPEAN RIVER HEALTH STRATEGY on the Directory of Important Wetlands ofImportant inAustralia.on theDirectory landholders. withprivate managed bySydney inpartnership Catchment Authority SwampislistedWingecarribee Australia andhasbeenminedheavily for peatinthepast. isactively The swampandcatchment oftheReservoir Swamp,Wingecarribee located above theReservoir, istheoldestandlargest high-altitudepeatforming swamp in Bowral. created wetland thatisapopulardestinationfor bird-watching. development isatMoss The mainurban Vale and lands andthere whichcontainsanartifi Nature land, isalsoasmallarea Reserve, theCecil ofreserved Hoskins cially ofthelower damsarereaches reaches andfarm common.Somesections where are water inreserved extraction halfofthesubcatchment has agricultureOver asthemajorlanduse, mostofwhichis confi ned to the upper Berrima. Warragamba Dam. There are three otherweirs the between ontheriver DamandthetownshipWingecarribee of to ofbulkwater pumped to from andtheriverchannelisusedfor theReservoir transport Reservoir Wingecarribee linkinthecomplexchainthatisSydney’sand isacritical water supply. Water from theShoalhaven catchment is Nepean to theeast,andNattaito thenorth. The isimpoundedat River Wingecarribee Dam Wingecarribee The subcatchment River isboundedbythe Wingecarribee Wollondilly subcatchment to thewest, theUpper

Wingecarribee River

89 Appendix 4.2 Subcatchment summaries Wingecarribee River management (I) ow practices in riparian lands (E) (E,P) points and along foreshores (E,W)points and along foreshores (E,P) (Planning, Education, Works, Monitoring, Institutional) Monitoring, Works, Education, (Planning, • (W) with indigenous riparian vegetation Revegetation • Management impacts of stock on waterways (W) • adoption of sustainable land management Encourage • quantity / fl Water • management Riparian wetland • quantity / nutrient management (I) Water • activity Maintain existing community based environment • (I,W) Management of aquatic weeds • (W) riparian vegetation of exotic Removal/replacement • access river Manage human impacts at public recreation • management – quality and quantity (I) Water • activity Maintain existing community based environment into this reach into Chain of Ponds recreation points) recreation source invasion other willow High priority downstream. and reaches reach Broom, Gorse, Willow, management. Privet, for Gleditsia. • (stock) access Damaging • functioning ecosystem Barriers to regulation • Flow extraction • Flow quality • Water • and Robertson Bowral from come STP discharges • urban areas from Stormwater Triggers Action • category Rare river – Meandering and Lateral • (Ludwigia) outbreaks weed Aquatic • at public (human access access Damaging regulation • Flow extraction • Flow quality • Water Triggers Action • and Willow impact – Pussy downstream Severe • this degrading – weeds threat immediate Severe shing shing agship species (Platypus agship species (Platypus) pool. ected weir by ed fl ed ed fl ed supply cant irrigation water cant community environment supply cant irrigation water cant community based Hoskins – Cecil cance wetland signifi aff – reach reach. above Swamp Wingecarribee (Meandering and Chain of Lateral in this reach) Ponds with Cecil associated life and bird Hoskins “wetland”) activity environment activity environment Reach ValuesReach Threats Reach recommendations Reach management • category river Rare or threatened • fi recreational Popular • boating non-motor Popular • Identifi • Signifi • Signifi • Good riparian vegetation • fi recreational Popular • Identifi • Signifi • Signifi Riparian Land Management Category Revegetation • or state of regional Wetland Assisted Assisted Regeneration ned Description From From Wingecarribee Reservoir wall 1 km approx to of downstream Main Southern Railway bridge river. across Short section 5km) (approx just below from Main Southern Railway crossing junctionto with Creek. Cordeaux R2 Wingecarribee confi Bedrock channel; crown land and steep land reducing access. Reach Name Reach Wingecarribee Wingecarribee R1 Wingecarribee Wingecarribee R2 Reach Management Recommendations – Wingecarribee River Subcatchment River Wingecarribee – Recommendations Reach Management

90 90 HAWKESBURY NEPEAN CATCHMENT MANAGEMENT AUTHORITY HAWKESBURY NEPEAN RIVER HEALTH STRATEGY Reach Management Recommendations – Wingecarribee River Subcatchment

Reach Name Reach Riparian Land Reach Values Reach Threats Reach management recommendations Description Management (Planning, Education, Works, Monitoring, Institutional) Category

Wingecarribee From Assisted • Good riparian vegetation • Damaging access (stock) • Management of stock impacts on waterways (W) R3 Wingecarribee Regeneration • Wetland of Local Signifi cance • Pest animals (Goats and Feral Cattle) • Encourage adoption of sustainable land use practices in R2 – from • Good river condition • Barriers to ecosystem functioning riparian lands (P,E) confl uence with • Wollondilly Nature Reserve and • Flow regulation • Riparian wetland management (P,W) Cordeaux Ck Bangadilly NP • Flow extraction • Pest animal management in riparian zone (P,W) (downstream • Signifi cant vegetation community • Water quantity / fl ow management (I) of Berrima (Wollondilly / Shoalhaven Gorge Action Triggers • Aquatic habitat condition and connectivity improvement township) to Woodland) • Severe immediate threat (weeds) (P,W) Wingecarribee / • Popular recreational fi shing • Removal/replacement of exotic riparian vegetation (W) Wollondilly Rivers • Popular non-motor boating • Maintain existing community based environment activity confl uence. • Identifi ed fl agship species (Brush (E,P) Tailed Rock Wallaby; Glossy Black • Develop conservation management agreements to Cockatoo) protect remnant riparian vegetation (P) • Signifi cant irrigation water supply • Signifi cant community based environment activity

91 Appendix 4.2 Subcatchment summaries Wingecarribee River 92 92 HAWKESBURY NEPEAN CATCHMENT MANAGEMENT AUTHORITY HAWKESBURY NEPEAN RIVER HEALTH STRATEGY provide bird) habitatfor butare the JapaneseSnipe(migratory under threat from grazing anderosion. degraded asaresult ofanexcess supplyofsediment. The wetlands andpeatbogsin the Wolgan subcatchment miningandprocessing occurred besidethe shale-oil WolganHistoric atGlenDavis River was andtheriver signifi oftheGreaterMountains Blue cantpart Area. Heritage World includesthe of Stone NationalPark. It Wollemi Wilderness area, hometo the Wollemi Pine, andforms avery The Wolgan subcatchment ispredominantly bushlandprotected bythe Wollemi NationalPark andtheGardens ofagricultural landusewithunmanagedstock access to theriver.degraded byalonghistory gorges; however, ofthe themiddlesection Wolgan ofthe andthelower River section Wolgan Tributary have been Colo River. Boththeupperandlower reaches inthe Wolgan subcatchment display goodconditionsandstone The andthe Wolgan River joinstheCapertee River Wollemi inthe River Wollemi NationalPark to become the

Wolgan River Subcatchment

93 Appendix 4.2 Subcatchment summaries Wolgan River protect remnant riparian vegetation (P) riparian vegetation remnant protect practices in riparian lands (E) (E) restoration (P,W) (P) riparian vegetation remnant protect (P) riparian vegetation remnant protect practices in riparian lands (E) (E) restoration (Planning, Education, Works, Monitoring, Institutional) Monitoring, Works, Education, (Planning, • conservation to Develop management agreements • (W) with indigenous riparian vegetation Revegetation • management Riparian wetland • Management impacts of stock on waterways (W) • adoption of sustainable land management Encourage • (W) Channel bed or bank stabilisation works • environmental Increase community capacity for • and connectivity habitat condition improvement Aquatic • (W) riparian vegetation of exotic Removal/replacement • conservation to Develop management agreements • conservation to Develop management agreements • (W) with indigenous riparian vegetation Revegetation • Management impacts of stock on waterways (W) • adoption of sustainable land management Encourage • management Riparian wetland • environmental Increase community capacity for migratory Japanese Snipe peat bog • (severe) – stock access Damaging • functioning ecosystem Barriers to • damage – important for wetland Wetland Triggers Action • head-cut in – severe threat immediate Severe • functioning ecosystem Barriers to • Ivy) (Cape Some vine weeds • (stock) access Damaging Triggers Action • category Rare river (Floodout) cance (un- cance cance agship species (World supply cant irrigation water programs cant environmental named peat bog) Heritage Area) World and Eater activity environment tied to fl tied to Heritage Area) activity environment Honeyeater) Reach ValuesReach Threats Reach recommendations Reach management • Signifi • species (Regent Honey Flagship • Some community based • Good riparian vegetation • condition Good river • Heritage Area World • Signifi • community based Some emerging • category Rare river (Floodout) • species (Regent Flagship Riparian Land Management Category (Near Intact outside reserve) Revegetation • of local signifi Wetland Assisted Assisted Regeneration Conservation (Near Intact partly outside reserve) Revegetation • of local signifi Wetland Newnes Shale Ruins through and Devils Pinch the to through Capertee River. section lower The of this reach Devils below is near Pinch intact except 10ha of cape for ivy and poplars in one area, and sediment from deposited upstream. Description of the upstream of the upstream down gorge Glen through Shale MineDavis the startRuins to of the National Park Flood out river out river Flood channel type bottom from the to of gorge junction with the River Wolgan Reach Name Reach Wolgan R1Wolgan R2Wolgan the end From Conservation R3Wolgan the From Wolgan Trib Trib Wolgan R1 Trib Wolgan R2 Reach Management Recommendations – Wolgan River Subcatchment River Wolgan – Recommendations Reach Management

94 94 HAWKESBURY NEPEAN CATCHMENT MANAGEMENT AUTHORITY HAWKESBURY NEPEAN RIVER HEALTH STRATEGY Gibbs Creeks. There ispotential for landholderinvolvement private inmanaging ofPutty thedegradation and oftheriverbanks sedimentto thedownstreamcontributing World Area. Heritage agricultural landuseanduncontrolledhistoric grazing. The areas are sparselysettled. Erosion inthesecreeks is Putty andGibbsCreek valleyfl oorshave beencleared haveriverbanks and beendamagedasa result of Greater BlueMountains World Area. Heritage in River Wollemi NatinalPark to becometheColo River. ofthe Muchofthesubcatchment isprotected aspart fl Nepeancatchment. It Wollemi oftheHawkesbury Creek isinthecentralnorth owssouth jointheCapertee to

Wollemi Creek Subcatchment

95 Appendix 4.2 Subcatchment summaries Wollemi Creek practices in riparian lands (E,P) (P,W) (E,P) (P) riparian vegetation remnant protect practices in riparian lands (E) (P,W) (E,P) (P) riparian vegetation remnant protect • Management impacts of stock on waterways (W) • adoption of sustainable land management Encourage • management Riparian wetland • (P,W) animal management in riparian zone Pest • and connectivity habitat condition improvement Aquatic • (W) Channel bed and bank stabilisation works • (W) riparian vegetation of exotic Removal/replacement • activity Maintain existing community based environment • conservation to Develop management agreements (Planning, Education, Works, Monitoring, Institutional) Monitoring, Works, Education, (Planning, • management Riparian wetland • Management impacts of stock on waterways (W) • adoption of sustainable land management Encourage • and connectivity habitat condition improvement Aquatic • quality Rural water and sediment management (W) • riparian vegetation of exotic Removal/replacement • (W) works control Channel bed or bank erosion • activity Maintain existing community based environment • (W) with indigenous riparian vegetation Revegetation is in National Park. Almost all the reach • conservation to Develop management agreements c channel (channel ed / engineered reach is a source of sediment to the World World the of sediment to is a source reach of Also a source downstream. Heritage Area such as Blackberryweeds excavation and draining of wetlands) excavation points) sedimentation of creek Creek Wollemi is causing sedimentation of reach Heritage World in downstream River and Colo World the for source Reach is also a weed Area. downstream. Heritage Area • (stock) access Damaging • functioning ecosystem Barriers to • Draining of wetlands • problem an emerging and deer are Pigs Triggers Action • impact in this – erosion downstream Severe • Modifi • specifi to – limited (stock access Damaging • functioning ecosystem Barriers to • Draining and burning of wetlands • and Clearing of hillsides causing erosion • Blackberry Triggers Action • impact in this – erosion downstream Severe cance cance agship species (Regent agship species (Regent program cant environmental community cant vegetation supply cant irrigation water cant community based community cant vegetation program cant environmental tied to a fl tied to Honeyeater) activity environment tied to fl tied to Project) Honeyeater activity environment • Good riparian vegetation • of local signifi Wetland • Signifi Signifi • • Signifi • Signifi Reach ValuesReach Threats Reach recommendations Reach management • High potential geomorphic recovery • Signifi • Signifi • Some community based Revegetation • of local signifi Wetland Conservation (Near Intact outside reserve) Assisted Assisted Regeneration Riparian Land Management Category Near Intact (almost entirely in reserve) uence uence ned reach) ned uence with uence Park boundary Park the to down junction with Creek Putty creek down to to down creek it exits the where and the gorge National Park to confl with Gibbs Creek National to boundary Park of upstream confl Creek Wollemi (confi headwater to to headwater junction with Creek Putty Description Condon R2Condon National From R1 R1, Condon Trib R1, Ovens Ck R1, Koondah Wollemi Near Intact Reaches within reserved lands: Gibbs R1 length from Total Putty R1Putty start of From R2Putty upstream From Reach Name Reach Reach Management Recommendations – Wollemi Creek Subcatchment Creek Wollemi – Recommendations Reach Management

96 96 HAWKESBURY NEPEAN CATCHMENT MANAGEMENT AUTHORITY HAWKESBURY NEPEAN RIVER HEALTH STRATEGY At 2699km based environment activity existsinthesubcatchment.based environment activity lateral” whichisofhigh environmental riverchanneltype, signifi cancedue to itsrarity. Signifi cantcommunity The subcatchment 1ofthe inReach containsarare channeltype river Tarlo R1),the (Tarlo River “Meandering valley fi llshave beengullieddue to changesinrunoff been cleared for grazing, trees native were riparian replaced withexotic andinvasive Willows ( the Wollondilly subcatchment hasbeensignifi cantlyaltered. Signifi and riparian cant fl oodplain vegetationhas through to the current time.European As settlementandcarry withmany suchareas, sinceEuropean settlement The subcatchment containssignifi cantagricultural landsandassociated industries, which were in developed early Burragorang. landsassociated withLake reserved The Tarlo NationalPark River ofthemajor protects asection Tarlo fl R2)andtheriver (Tarlo tributary owsinto the subcatchments to Burragorang south-west, thenorth. andLake andtheKowmung andNattaisubcatchmentsWingecarribee lieto theeast,Upper Wollondilly to thewest, Mulwaree to the 2 , the Wollondilly Nepeancatchment. subcatchment River isthelargest intheHawkesbury The . Salix Salix spp.) andintact Wollondilly River Subcatchment

97 Appendix 4.2 Subcatchment summaries Wollondilly River management (I) ow management (I) ow practices in riparian lands (E) (P,W) riparian lands (P,E) (P,W) quality (M) (E) restoration (P) riparian vegetation remnant protect (Planning, Education, Works, Monitoring, Institutional) Monitoring, Works, Education, (Planning, • (W) riparian vegetation of exotic Removal/replacement • Management of aquatic weeds • Management impacts of stock on waterways (W) • adoption of sustainable land management Encourage • (W) works control Channel bed or bank erosion • and connectivity habitat condition improvement Aquatic • management Riparian wetland • quantity / fl Water • quality / nutrient management (I,W) Water • quality Urban water and sediment management (I,W) • (W) with indigenous riparian vegetation Revegetation • activity Maintain existing community environment (E,M) • Management impacts of stock on waterways (W) • adoption of sustainable land use practices Encourage in • and connectivity habitat condition improvement Aquatic • quantity / fl Water • water values – recreational of recreational Maintenance • environmental Increase community capacity for • conservation to Develop management agreements res in res pollution use source and nutrient impacts and blackberry willow following removal hawthorn) Lagarosiphon) lifted and moved that have (Causeways downstream) steep countrysteep • – Marulan – hydrological Urban development Triggers Action • impact erosion – STP; downstream Severe • blackberry, (willows, invasion Highweed woody • and (Ludwigia outbreaks weed Aquatic • (Stock) access Damaging • rail bridge. Carrick/Brayton below Erosion • functioning ecosystem Barriers to regulation • Flow extraction • Flow • quality – STP and diff Water • (stock) access Damaging • functioning ecosystem Barriers to regulation • Flow extraction • Flow • bushfi and sediment input from Erosion cance cance shing shing agship species (Pelicans, agship species (Platypus) ed fl ed fl ed community cant vegetation supply cant irrigation water cant community based community cant vegetation (Tableland Grassy Box-Gum Grassy Box-Gum (Tableland Wollondilly-Shaoalhaven Woodland; Woodland) Gorge birds) and other water Black Swans activity environment Gorge (Wollondilly/Shoalhaven Woodland) Reach ValuesReach Threats Reach recommendations Reach management • Signifi • fi recreational Popular • Identifi • Signifi • Signifi • drinking (Marulan) water Town • Good riparian vegetation • condition Good river • Signifi • fi recreational Popular • boating non-motor Popular • Identifi Revegetation • of local signifi Wetland Riparian Land Management Category Assisted Assisted Regeneration uence uence uence. From Paddy’s Paddy’s From Tarlo to River Steep River. topography & good quality native vegetation. Lower Wollondilly Wollondilly Lower R1, Mulwaree River confl River Paddy’s to confl Description Lower Lower R1 Wollondilly Lower R2 Wollondilly Reach Name Reach Reach Management Recommendations – Wollondilly River Subcatchment River Wollondilly – Recommendations Reach Management

98 98 HAWKESBURY NEPEAN CATCHMENT MANAGEMENT AUTHORITY HAWKESBURY NEPEAN RIVER HEALTH STRATEGY Reach Management Recommendations – Wollondilly River Subcatchment

Reach Name Reach Riparian Land Reach Values Reach Threats Reach management recommendations Description Management (Planning, Education, Works, Monitoring, Institutional) Category

Lower Lower Wollondilly Assisted • Good riparian vegetation • Damaging access (stock) • Management of stock impacts on waterways (W) Wollondilly R3 R3 from Tarlo Regeneration • Good river condition • Barriers to ecosystem functioning • Encourage adoption of sustainable land use practices in River to Lake • Signifi cant vegetation community • Flow regulation riparian lands (P,E) Burragorang (Wollondilly/Shoalhaven Gorge • Flow extraction • Aquatic habitat condition and connectivity improvement Woodland) • Erosion and sediment input from bushfi res in (P,W) • Popular recreational fi shing steep country • Water quantity / fl ow management (I) • Popular non-motor boating • Maintenance of recreational values – recreational water • Identifi ed fl agship species (Platypus) quality (M) • Increase community capacity for environmental restoration (E) • Develop conservation management agreements to protect remnant riparian vegetation (P)

Paddys R1 Short cut and fi ll Revegetation • Wetland of local signifi cance • Channel engineering / modifi cation (a section of • Management of stock impacts on waterways (W) reach through (constructed wetland in creek line) the reach is piped with a playing fi eld on top of • Encourage adoption of sustainable land management the village of it) practices in riparian lands (E) Bundanoon, to • Damaging access (stock in rural areas an human • Manage human impacts at public recreation river access just below village. in urban areas) points and along foreshores (W) Approximately • Barriers to ecosystem functioning (pipes) • Aquatic habitat condition and connectivity improvement 2.8km long (half • Flow extraction (P,W) urban, half rural). • Urbanisation and subdivision (Bundanoon) • Urban water quality and sediment management (I,W) • Riparian wetland management Action Triggers • Increase community capacity for environmental • Severe downstream impact – sedimentation and restoration (E) water quality impacts • Revegetation with indigenous riparian vegetation (W)

Paddys R2 Paddys R2 Assisted • Wetland of National Signifi cance • Damaging access (heavy stock impact, also a • Riparian wetland management Long reach Regeneration (Long Swamp) point of human impact at the Hume Highway • Management of stock impacts on waterways (W) from just below • Wetlands of local signifi cance (eg. bridge) • Encourage adoption of sustainable land management Bundanoon Hanging Rock Swamp) • Barriers to ecosystem functioning practices in riparian lands (E,P) Village almost • Signifi cant vegetation community • Flow extraction • Aquatic habitat condition and connectivity improvement to confl uence (Tableland Grassy Box-Gum (P,W) with Wollondilly, Woodland) • Water quantity / fl ow management (I) except for short • Popular recreational fi shing • Increase community capacity for environmental confi ned reach • Identifi ed fl agship species (Paddy’s restoration (E) just above River Box) confl uence • Signifi cant irrigation water supply (Paddy’s R3)

99 Appendix 4.2 Subcatchment summaries Wollondilly River ow management ow management (I) ow sh passage (P,W) restoration (E) restoration (P) riparian vegetation remnant protect practices in riparian lands (E) (E) restoration riparian lands (P,E) (E,W)points and along foreshores fi – barriers to (E,W)points and along foreshores (P,W) (E) restoration Part of reach in Reserved of reach Part Land. (P) riparian vegetation remnant protect • environmental Increase community capacity for • conservation to Develop management agreements • Management impacts of stock on waterways (W) • adoption of sustainable land management Encourage • quantity / fl Water • environmental Increase community capacity for • (W) with indigenous riparian vegetation Revegetation • Management impacts of stock on waterways (W) • adoption of sustainable land use practices Encourage in • management (P,W) Riparian wetland • management – quantity (I) Water • access river Manage human impacts at public recreation • and connectivity habitat condition improvement Aquatic • access river Manage human impacts at public recreation • and connectivity habitat condition improvement Aquatic • quantity / fl Water • environmental Increase community capacity for • conservation to Develop management agreements (Planning, Education, Works, Monitoring, Institutional) Monitoring, Works, Education, (Planning, trails in granite re country) damage at public access point) damage at public access • Flow extraction • Flow • (human fi access Damaging • functioning ecosystem Barriers to extraction • Flow • and also some human (stock access Damaging • functioning ecosystem Barriers to extraction • Flow cance shing shing agship species (National agship species (Platypus) ed fl ed ed fl ed community cant vegetation community cant vegetation (Wollondilly – Shoalhaven Gorge Gorge (Wollondilly – Shoalhaven Woodland) Park) • Good riparian vegetation • Caves Wombeyan – National Park • Signifi • fi recreational Popular • Identifi • of local signifi Wetland • condition Good river • High potential geomorphic recovery • Signifi • fi recreational Popular • Identifi Reach ValuesReach Threats Reach recommendations Reach management Regeneration (Near Intact and both in and out of reserved lands) Conservation • Good riparian vegetation Riparian Land Management Category uence with uence just before just before confl Wollondilly River; Paddys by R3 crossed Rd. Canyonleigh Description Guineacor R1Guineacor R2Guineacor Revegetation Assisted • damage) (heavy stock access Damaging Jocks R1 Conservation Paddys R3Paddys Short reach Reach Name Reach Reach Management Recommendations – Lower Wollondilly River Subcatchment River Wollondilly – Lower Recommendations Reach Management

100100 HAWKESBURY NEPEAN CATCHMENT MANAGEMENT AUTHORITY HAWKESBURY NEPEAN RIVER HEALTH STRATEGY Reach Management Recommendations – Lower Wollondilly River Subcatchment

Reach Name Reach Riparian Land Reach Values Reach Threats Reach management recommendations Description Management (Planning, Education, Works, Monitoring, Institutional) Category

Jocks R2 Jocks R2 partly Conservation • Good riparian vegetation • Damaging access (stock) • Management of stock impacts on waterways (W) confi ned lower • Good river condition • Barriers to ecosystem functioning • Encourage adoption of sustainable land use practices in section to • Signifi cant vegetation community • Flow extraction riparian lands (P,E) confl uence with (Wollondilly-Shoalhaven Gorge • Sediment impacts from upstream • Aquatic habitat condition and connectivity improvement Wollondilly River. Woodland) (P,W) (Headwater • Identifi ed Flagship Species • Water management – quantity (I) and confi ned (Platypus; Bentwing Bats) • Maintain existing community based environment activity upstream reaches • Some community based (E,P) are in near intact environment activity (Catchment • Develop conservation management agreements to condition, so Protection Scheme) protect remnant riparian vegetation (P) not assessed by Panel.)

Tarlo R1 Includes Revegetation • Rare or threatened river category • Woody weeds (Crack Willow; Basket Willow; • Revegetation with indigenous riparian vegetation (W) headwater, (reach contains two ‘meandering Blackberry) • Removal/replacement of exotic riparian vegetation (W) partly confi ned, lateral’ sections) • Damaging access (stock – intensive grazing) • Management of stock impacts on waterways (W) meandering • Signifi cant vegetation community • Barriers to ecosystem functioning • Encourage adoption of sustainable land management lateral, partly • Popular recreational fi shing • Flow modifi cation practices in riparian lands (E) confi ned, • Identifi ed fl agship species (Platypus) • Gully erosion contributing sediment to the creek • Aquatic habitat condition and connectivity improvement meandering • Signifi cant irrigation water supply (P,W) lateral and partly Action Triggers • Water quantity / fl ow management (I) confi ned reaches. • Rare river category (meandering lateral) • Rural water quality and sediment management • Increase community capacity for environmental restoration (E)

Tarlo R2 Includes Tarlo Assisted • Good riparian vegetation • Damaging access (some cattle at lower end. • Management of stock impacts on waterways (W) River National Regeneration • Wetland of local signifi cance (Long Damaging human access restricted to Swallow • Encourage adoption of sustainable land use practices in Park along a Swamp) Tail Pass) riparian lands (P,E) section of the • Good river condition • Barriers to ecosystem functioning • Manage human impacts at public recreation river access reach. Reach goes • Tarlo River National Park • Flow extraction points and along foreshores (E,W) all the way to the • Popular recreational fi shing • Subdivision threats from access roads and weeds • Aquatic habitat condition and connectivity improvement junction with the • Identifi ed Flagship Species • Erosion and sediment input from bushfi res (P,W) Wollondilly River. (Platypus; National Park Habitat) • Water quantity / fl ow management (I) • Riparian wetland management (P,W) • Increase community capacity for environmental restoration (E) • Develop conservation management agreements to protect remnant riparian vegetation (P) 101 Appendix 4.2 Subcatchment summaries Wollondilly River management (I) ow management (I) ow practices in riparian lands (E) (P,W) (E) restoration riparian lands (P,E) (E) restoration (P) riparian vegetation remnant protect Reach mainly within reserved lands. (P) riparian vegetation remnant protect (Planning, Education, Works, Monitoring, Institutional) Monitoring, Works, Education, (Planning, • (W) riparian vegetation of exotic Removal/replacement • Management impacts of stock on waterways (W) • adoption of sustainable land management Encourage • and connectivity habitat condition improvement Aquatic • (W) with indigenous riparian vegetation Revegetation • quantity / fl Water • environmental Increase community capacity for • (W) riparian vegetation of exotic Removal/replacement • Management impacts of stock on waterways (W) • adoption of sustainable land use practices Encourage in • quantity / fl Water • environmental Increase community capacity for • conservation to Develop management agreements • conservation to Develop management agreements res in res steep countrysteep • invasion High weed woody • (stock) access Damaging extraction • Flow • bushfi and sediment input from Erosion • (Willow; invasion weed Hawthorn) Woody • – severe) (stock access Damaging • functioning ecosystem Barriers to extraction • Flow clearing • Riparian shing shing community cant vegetation (Tableland Granite Grassy Granite (Tableland Woodland) activity environment Reach ValuesReach Threats Reach recommendations Reach management • fi recreational Popular • Some community based • drinking (Taralga) water Town • Good riparian vegetation • condition Good river • fi recreational Popular Riparian Land Management Category Regeneration (mainly within reserve) Description Woolshed R1Woolshed Revegetation R2Woolshed • Signifi Assisted Murruin Ck R1 Near Intact Near Intact Reaches within reserved lands: Jooriland R2, R1 Creek Tonalli Concern: of Community Creeks Reach Name Reach Reach Management Recommendations – Wollondilly River Subcatchment River Wollondilly – Recommendations Reach Management

102102 HAWKESBURY NEPEAN CATCHMENT MANAGEMENT AUTHORITY 44.3.3 SSummaryummary ofof rapidrapid rreacheach aassessmentssessment rresultsesults - valuesvalues andand threatsthreats

The rapid reach assessment for the Strategy assessed environmental, social and economic values and threats for river reaches in the Hawkesbury Nepean catchment. A number of these form the basis of eight Management Themes (see Volume 1, section 2.3). The remaining values and threats inform the detailed management actions in Appendix 4.2 and are summarised and mapped in this section.

Environmental Values Riparian Vegetation Riparian land with intact vegetation is critically important to the health of a waterway because it provides: • Organic matter to the river, a major food source for aquatic fauna • A supply of woody debris within the river, which forms key habitat areas for many fi sh and invertebrates • A source of shade in upland areas which infl uences water temperature and light penetration producing suitable conditions for aquatic fl ora and fauna • Assistance in bank stabilization, reducing erosion in many areas. Vegetated riparian land also acts as a buff er between the catchment and river so it can fi lter nutrients and sediment from catchment run-off and reduce the impacts of land use on the river itself. 4.3 Appendix Summary and maps of values and threats The Rapid Reach Assessment Panels determined the percentage cover class of riparian vegetation cover through aerial photograph interpretation and through local knowledge of the river reach. The panel determined that 79 (53%) of the assessed river reaches have >50% riparian vegetation cover, while 49 (33%) have <25% riparian vegetation cover.

River Condition The condition of river reaches in the Hawkesbury Nepean has been assessed by the Geomorphic Categorisation of Streams in the Hawkesbury Nepean (DLWC, 2001a). The assessment of river condition incorporated available data on historical changes, fl oodplain linkages, sediment mobility, human disturbance and changes to river character (DLWC, 2001a). Based on these assessments river reaches were classifi ed into one of four condition categories. In the Hawkesbury Nepean 31% of reaches are rated as having near intact condition, 28% as having good condition, 22% moderate and 19% degraded. Most of the catchment (59%) is in Near Intact or Good condition as the topography and geology of much of the catchment has limited the extent of land use change and vegetation removal in these areas (DLWC, 2001a).

HAWKESBURY NEPEAN RIVER HEALTH STRATEGY 103 Recovery potential The concept of recovery potential refers to the ability of a river reach to respond to disturbance or to “bounce back” following disturbance. Reaches with a high recovery potential are generally those that have minimal impact from human modifi cations and do not require intervention for rehabilitation (DLWC, 2001a). River reaches with low recovery potential are generally characterised by extensively altered geomorphic conditions and poor vegetation associations. Impacts of reservoirs and weirs can also limit the recovery potential (DLWC, 2001a). These reaches are also often degraded as a result of poor upstream condition. The recovery potential of streams in the Hawkesbury Nepean catchment has been determined by the Geomorphic Categorisation of Streams in the Hawkesbury Nepean. 31% of the river reaches assessed have a very high recovery potential. This large percentage is due to the fact that over half of the catchment is bushland, much of this in deep sandstone gorges with minimal threats. A further 14% has a high recovery potential, 27% has a moderate recovery potential and 28% has a low recovery potential (DLWC, 2001a).

Sites of environmental signifi cance This is a registered conservation asset and refers to the listing of specifi c sites on either the Register of the National Estate, as National Parks, or as part of the Greater Blue Mountains World Heritage Area. These sites do not necessarily refl ect ecological value however they indicate a recognised importance and have high levels of environmental protection.

Signifi cant vegetation community The catchment contains many rare, threatened and endangered vegetation communities. Many of these communities are under threat from pressures such as clearing, urban development and weeds, and many of them occur in riparian corridors. The location and extent of vegetation community types in the Hawkesbury Nepean catchment is covered by the Priority 5 Mapping Area (P5MA) vegetation mapping undertaken by the NSW Department of Environment and Conservation and Department of Natural Resources (DEC and DIPNR (2005) Native Vegetation Mapping Report Series 5). Endangered Ecological Communities (EECs) listed under State legislation (Threatened Species Conservation Act) and Commonwealth legislation (Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act) within 30m of a watercourse have been identifi ed and extracted from the P5MA information and mapped. River reaches were assessed in terms of the presence or absence of these EECs.

104104 HAWKESBURY NEPEAN CATCHMENT MANAGEMENT AUTHORITY Social Values Swimming The degree to which a river reach is used for swimming can be infl uenced by a number of factors. These may include the suitability of the waterway in terms of depth etc, level of accessibility, and how clean the water is. Swimming is an important recreational asset and one that also requires the maintenance of these set of conditions. The Rapid Reach Assessment Panel used local knowledge to rate the frequency of swimming at each of the river reaches. 57 (38%) of the river reaches assessed are used for swimming.

Recreational Fishing The Rapid Reach Assessment Panel used local knowledge to rate the frequency of recreational fi shing at each of the river reaches. The occurrence of recreational fi shing is not only an indicator of the important social value of a river reach but can also provide an indication of the health of the aquatic populations in that reach. The highest levels of recreational fi shing occur generally in the lower reaches of the catchment, focusing on the estuary and also the freshwater tributaries that support the native Australian Bass. Popular recreational fi shing locations in the upper reaches of the catchment are associated with exotic fi sh species such as Trout. 67 of the assessed river reaches (45%) were identifi ed as being used for recreational fi shing.

Boating 4.3 Appendix Summary and maps Two types of boating were investigated as social assets to a river reach, both motor boating and of values and threats non-motor boating. Non-motor boating included canoeing and li-loing. Motor boat use was restricted largely to the estuary of the Hawkesbury Nepean and the wider rivers in the lower part of the catchment. Non-motor boating however was widespread across the catchment. There was a relationship between public river recreation access points and the occurrence of other social value activities such as boating. 46 (31%) of the assessed reaches are used for non-motor boating and 18 (12%) of the assessed reaches are used for motor boating.

Scenic Quality The perception of the scenic quality of a river reach and its landscape may diff er from one person to another, however where there was a general consensus among Rapid Reach Assessment Panel members of the level of scenic quality of an area it was recorded. Sydney Regional Environment Plan 20 (Hawkesbury Nepean River) covers the lower section of the catchment and identifi es areas of scenic quality of regional signifi cance. Reaches in National Park or World Heritage Area were considered to be of State Signifi cance in terms of scenic quality.

HAWKESBURY NEPEAN RIVER HEALTH STRATEGY 105 Economic Values Irrigation Water extraction from rivers ranges from basic riparian rights, which allow users to extract water for stock and domestic gardens, to high use water extraction for broad scale irrigation or industry. The Rapid Assessment Panel assessed irrigation water supply as an economic asset. The river reaches of highest water extraction for broad scale irrigation or industry include the Hawkesbury Nepean River, South Creek and the lower Wollondilly River. Commercial Fishing The Hawkesbury Nepean River supports the second largest commercial coastal fi shery of prawns, oysters and fi sh in NSW with a wholesale value of $6.3 million annually. Commercial fi shing industries in the Hawkesbury Nepean are restricted to the estuary, with a trout farm on the Marangaroo River in the Upper Coxs Subcatchment being the only exception. Tourism Rivers often provide a draw card for tourists due to their range of recreational and aesthetic values. The Rapid Reach Assessment Panels were asked to assess the level of usage of river reaches by tourists. The major focus area of tourists in the catchment is the Hawkesbury Nepean estuary. Land use The Rapid Reach Assessment Panel determined the class of land use dominating beside each river reach. Land use type is typically closely linked to land use value. High productivity areas such as intensive irrigation areas or urban residential areas are generally of higher economic value than grazing land or bushland. The Hawkesbury Nepean River fl oodplains contain the most intensive irrigation areas in the catchment and the South Creek subcatchment is dominated by urban development land use.

106106 HAWKESBURY NEPEAN CATCHMENT MANAGEMENT AUTHORITY Threats Damaging access Riparian zones are sensitive areas of the landscape, easily susceptible to damage such as riverbank erosion, native vegetation degradation and weed invasion. Unrestricted access from cattle or humans down river and creek banks can cause serious erosion and grazing can degrade native vegetation. The Rapid Reach Assessment Panels used a combination of aerial photographs and local knowledge of the reaches to rate the degree of damage to riverbanks as a result of unmanaged stock or human access. The Panels found that 35 (25%) of assessed river reaches had observable stock or human access damage to more than 10% of the reach. A further 46 (31%) had focused human access damage. Woody weeds The Rapid Reach Assessment Panels used a combination of aerial photograph interpretation and local knowledge of river reaches to determine a percentage class of woody weed invasion. The highest levels of woody weed invasion were in the Nepean River near Camden, the Hawkesbury River between Yarramundi and Lower Portland, Cattai Creek and South Creek. 20 (13%) of the assessed river reaches have woody weeds making up >50% of their vegetation cover. The majority of the river reaches in the catchment have little or no woody weed invasion. Some of the more common woody weeds across the catchment include Honey Locust (Gleditsia triacanthos), Privet, African Olive, and various species of Willow. Pest animals Some species of pest animals have the ability to create visible physical damage to riparian zones if present in large enough numbers. The rapid reach assessment panels identifi ed problem pest animals Appendix 4.3 Appendix

on the river reaches and indicated the level of damage they were causing. Summary and maps of values and threats 26 of the river reaches assessed recorded some level of damage from pest animals. Some of the common pest animals noted included pigs, deer, goats, rabbits, and feral cattle. Flow regulation The catchment contains a large number of dams and weirs scattered throughout the river system. These structures alter natural fl ow regimes and interrupt sediment transport, having serious impacts on downstream environments. 40 of the river reaches assessed are dammed for water supply and thus regulated. This equates to 883km of waterway. Extraction The Stressed River Assessment Report for the Hawkesbury Nepean Catchment was used to determine the level of Hydrologic Stress for each of the subcatchments. Most of the subcatchments outside reserved lands experience a high level of hydrologic stress, largely infl uenced by high levels of extraction.

HAWKESBURY NEPEAN RIVER HEALTH STRATEGY 107 108108 HAWKESBURY NEPEAN CATCHMENT MANAGEMENT AUTHORITY EEnvironmentalnvironmental AssetsAssets Appendix 4.3 Appendix Summary and maps of values and threats

Fig. A2 RRiparianiparian VVegetationegetation

HAWKESBURY NEPEAN RIVER HEALTH STRATEGY 109 EEnvironmentalnvironmental AssetsAssets

RRiveriver CConditionondition AAdapteddapted ffromrom DDLWC(2001a)LWC(2001a) ““GeographicGeographic CategorisationCategorisation ofof streamsstreams inin thethe Fig. A3 HHawkesburyawkesbury NNepeanepean ccatchment”atchment”

110110 HAWKESBURY NEPEAN CATCHMENT MANAGEMENT AUTHORITY EEnvironmentalnvironmental AssetsAssets Appendix 4.3 Appendix Summary and maps of values and threats

GGeomorphiceomorphic RRecoveryecovery PotentialPotential AAdapteddapted ffromrom DDLWC(2001a)LWC(2001a) Fig. A4 ““GeographicGeographic CategorisationCategorisation ofof streamsstreams inin thethe HHawkesburyawkesbury NNepeanepean ccatchment”atchment”

HAWKESBURY NEPEAN RIVER HEALTH STRATEGY 111 EEnvironmentalnvironmental AssetsAssets

SSitesites ooff EEnvironmentalnvironmental Fig. A5 SSignifiignifi cancecance

112112 HAWKESBURY NEPEAN CATCHMENT MANAGEMENT AUTHORITY EEnvironmentalnvironmental AssetsAssets Appendix 4.3 Appendix Summary and maps of values and threats

SSignifiignifi ccantant VegetationVegetation CCommunityommunity Fig. A6 AAAdaptedAdapted fromfrom P5MAP5MA mapping;mapping; Tindall,Tindall, DD.. eet.t. aal.l. ((2005)2005) NNativeative VVegetationegetation MMapap RReporteport Series.Series. No.No. 4.4. VersionVersion 2.2.2.2.

HAWKESBURY NEPEAN RIVER HEALTH STRATEGY 113 SSocialocial AAssetsssets

Fig. A7 SSwimmingwimming

114114 HAWKESBURY NEPEAN CATCHMENT MANAGEMENT AUTHORITY SSocialocial AAssetsssets Appendix 4.3 Appendix Summary and maps of values and threats

RRecreationalecreational Fig. A8 FFishingishing

HAWKESBURY NEPEAN RIVER HEALTH STRATEGY 115 SSocialocial AAssetsssets

NNon-Motoron-Motor Fig. A9 BBoatingoating

116116 HAWKESBURY NEPEAN CATCHMENT MANAGEMENT AUTHORITY SSocialocial AAssetsssets Appendix 4.3 Appendix Summary and maps of values and threats

MMotorotor BBoatingoating / Fig. A10 SSkiingkiing

HAWKESBURY NEPEAN RIVER HEALTH STRATEGY 117 SSocialocial AAssetsssets

Fig. A11 SSceniccenic QQualityuality

118118 HAWKESBURY NEPEAN CATCHMENT MANAGEMENT AUTHORITY EEconomicconomic AAssetsssets Appendix 4.3 Appendix Summary and maps of values and threats

Fig. A12 IIrrigationrrigation WWaterater SSupplyupply

HAWKESBURY NEPEAN RIVER HEALTH STRATEGY 119 EEconomicconomic AAssetsssets

Fig. A13 CCommercialommercial FFishingishing

120120 HAWKESBURY NEPEAN CATCHMENT MANAGEMENT AUTHORITY EEconomicconomic AAssetsssets Appendix 4.3 Appendix Summary and maps of values and threats

Fig. A14 TTourismourism

HAWKESBURY NEPEAN RIVER HEALTH STRATEGY 121 EEconomicconomic AAssetsssets

Fig. A15 LLanduseanduse

122122 HAWKESBURY NEPEAN CATCHMENT MANAGEMENT AUTHORITY TThreatshreats Appendix 4.3 Appendix Summary and maps of values and threats

DDamagingamaging AccessAccess toto Fig. A16 RRiparianiparian ZZoneone

HAWKESBURY NEPEAN RIVER HEALTH STRATEGY 123 TThreatshreats

EExoticxotic PPlantlant SSpeciespecies Fig. A17 RRiparianiparian WWoodyoody WeedsWeeds

124124 HAWKESBURY NEPEAN CATCHMENT MANAGEMENT AUTHORITY TThreatshreats Appendix 4.3 Appendix Summary and maps of values and threats

Fig. A18 PPestest AAnimalsnimals

HAWKESBURY NEPEAN RIVER HEALTH STRATEGY 125 TThreatshreats

Fig. A19 FFlowlow RRegulationegulation

126126 HAWKESBURY NEPEAN CATCHMENT MANAGEMENT AUTHORITY TThreatshreats Appendix 4.3 Appendix Summary and maps of values and threats

FFlowlow ModifiModifi ccationation / Extraction Fig. A20 Adapted from Stressed Rivers Report on the Hawkesbury Nepean

HAWKESBURY NEPEAN RIVER HEALTH STRATEGY 127 128 HAWKESBURY NEPEAN CATCHMENT MANAGEMENT AUTHORITY 44.4.4 RRapidapid reachreach aassessmentssessment ttoolsools

The rapid reach assessment panels undertook the rapid assessment of assets and threats using a number of tools developed specifi cally for the purpose by the HNCMA.

These included: • An Assets and Threats Rating Scale, which included defi nitions of the assets and threats and • hA River Reach Rating Sheet which was completed for each reach assessed by the panels. A sample of each of the tools is contained in the following pages. Rapid reach Appendix 4.4 Appendix assessment tools

HAWKESBURY NEPEAN RIVER HEALTH STRATEGY 129 cance present cance Rare or threatened Rare or threatened categoryriver Good condition Wetland of national Wetland signifi cance present present cance signifi High potential high potential Very 1-25% tree cover1-25% tree cover 25-50% tree cover >50% tree 11-14Poor 15-16 Fair 5-6Poor Good 17-18 7-8 Fair Moderate condition 19-20 Excellent Good 9-10 11-12 Excellent Moderate potential cant No signifi cover or No rare threatened river categories Poor Very <11 No wetland present Wetland of regional Wetland poor Very 3-4 Degraded condition Low potential No data No data No data No data No data No data No data ned in the of the Hawkesbury the Geomorphic Categorisation ned by oodplain wetland hydrologically connected to the river? connected to hydrologically oodplain wetland sourcenition & information 0 1 2 3 4 5 cance Environmental asset, defi asset, Environmental rating Panel Technical Assets: Riparian vegetation cover class of tree Percentage & landsat images panel rating using air photos Technical Assets: Datasets rating Assets: Datasets categories river Rare or threatened Does the reach categories. river and/or threatened a number of rare contains catchment The “Meandering Lateral”, of Ponds”, “Chain Namely of one these categories? a representation contain asset biophysical Note: Wetlands.” “Channel and Vertical” “Meandering of Streams Geomorphic Categorisation Condition Riverbank of the Riparian using Bank Score bank condition of the river assessment of the condition Qualitative asset Inventory biophysical (RCE) Note: Channel and Environmental inventory Biota, Habitat - Riparian channel & environmental Pressure, Wetlands of signifi Wetlands a fl contain reach Does the river SREP 20 maps in Australia, DirectoryWetlands of Important Condition Riverbed of the Riparian Channel and bed using Bed Score of the river assessment of the condition Qualitative asset Inventory biophysical (RCE) Note: Environmental inventory Biota, Habitat - Riparian channel & environmental Pressure, River condition as defi condition reach What is the river Nepean? asset biophysical Note: of Streams Geomorphic Categorisation Geomorphic recovery potential Geomorphic recovery as defi disturbance, following recover to a high potential have reach Does the river asset of Hawkesbury biophysical Nepean? Note: Geomorphic Categorisation of Streams Geomorphic Categorisation Table A4: Rapid reach assessment tool- asset and threat rating scales rating asset and threat tool- assessment A4: Rapid reach Table Scale Assets Rating Environmental

130 HAWKESBURY NEPEAN CATCHMENT MANAGEMENT AUTHORITY ed in P5Ma Unimpaired with Unimpaired rich and sensitive taxa SIGNAL SCORE >7 Any part Any of the is in the reach Blue Greater Mountains World Heritage Area than 2 EECs More identifi mapping ed’, “interim “interim ed’, ed through through ed Unimpaired SIGNAL Unimpaired 6-7 SCORE list”, “registered” or “registered” list”, “Identifi or processes” state other National any Park ed in ed Mildly impacted SIGNAL SCORE 5-6 “Identifi 1 or 2 EECs identifi P5Ma mapping Moderately impacted SIGNAL 4-5 SCORE “Indicative place” “Indicative place” “Natural” in the class on RNE ed ed Low 0-20%Low Medium 21-60% High >61% Severely Severely impacted SIGNAL <4 SCORE No riparian site related listing No EEC’s No EEC’s identifi in P5Ma mapping No data No data No data No data on either the listed cance P5Ma in is mapped by cance) Rapid reach Appendix 4.4 Appendix assessment tools cance status community – threatened cant vegetation Environmental Assets Rating Scale Assets Rating (cont.) Environmental rating Assets: Datasets Fish asset biophysical Note: Fish % Native Biota, Habitat study Pressure, Macro invertebrate Macro asset biophysical Note: SIGNAL SCORES Biota, Habitat study Pressure, Sites of environmental signifi of environmental Sites Do riverine or riparian related sites with registered environmental signifi environmental with registered sites or riparian related Do riverine Register of the National Estate (RNE) in the Natural Class or World Heritage Area (WHA) Heritage Area within occur World (RNE) in the Natural Class or of the National Estate Register conservation asset registered Note: the reach? of the National Estate Register the riparian zone (30 metres) of the reach. Note: registered conservation asset registered Note: of the reach. (30 metres) the riparian zone P5Ma state-wide mapping vegetation Signifi whether an to community/ies ? Refers vegetation ecological endangered contain Does the reach signifi or Commonwealth (of State Community Ecological Endangered

HAWKESBURY NEPEAN RIVER HEALTH STRATEGY 131 shing cance Access points with Access extremely high multiple uses and multiple facilities State signifi State and icon in reach Occurs one species attached to environmental or more programs Extremely heavy local & swimming use regional of reach Popular and extensive and extensive Popular round year and extensive Popular round year shing fi rec for Popular ed regional regional ed cance Access point/s with high Access multiple use & facilities Identifi signifi Popular swimming spot Popular with mostly local users Popular boating but Popular seasonal non-motor Popular boating but seasonal local ed by Access point/s Access with medium but mostly single use and facilities in Occurs and is reach identifi community as important Occasional Occasional swimming on reach cance cance ed by by ed Access point/s Access and with low mostly single use and no facilities Local signifi Local as identifi working groups Occasional non- Occasional boating motor infrequent Very & mostly opportunistic Occasional motor motor Occasional boating shing fi Some rec cance cance agship species with associated reach access point access signifi local to community boating on reach boating No data fi No rec No data Nothing known 1 or 2 sites sites 3 or more No data No fl No data No public No data of No areas No dataNo data No non-motor No swimming No data No motor shing agship” species agship” high scenic ed as having what extent?shing and to cance? include the Platypus, Examples may cance? sh, Glossy Black Cockatoo etc. sourcenition & information 0 1 2 3 4 5 nition shing fi public reserves, include parks, May types of recreation? erent Assets: Technical Panel rating Panel Technical Assets: fi Recreational fi recreational used for reach Is the river Assessment Panel Technical Social defi asset, Lists as per defi Flagship Species Flagship “fl a a species that is considered contain Does the reach or a species of local signifi Australian Bass, Jewfi Bass, Australian Assessment Panel Technical Public Recreation Access Recreation Public used and that facilitate points that are access have reach Does the river diff points etc. access and river platforms and canoe access Assessment Panel Technical rating Assets: Datasets Heritage – European that occur (non-environmental) Heritage sites European any there Are on the State as recorded within this reach or riparian zone in the river listing on the ‘historic’ the National Heritage List or a Heritage Register, of the National Estate? Register Scenic QualityScenic lie within a landscape unit identifi Does the reach or local signifi regional, quality of state, SREP 20 and in other areas Technical Panel Assessment Panel Technical SREP 20 and in other areas Non-motor boating Non-motor boating such as canoeing? non-motor used for reach Is the river Assessment Panel Technical Swimming swimming? used for reach Is the river Assessment Panel Technical Motor boating / skiing boating? motor used for reach Is the river Assessment Panel Technical Social Scale Assets Rating

132 HAWKESBURY NEPEAN CATCHMENT MANAGEMENT AUTHORITY shing potable town take for High use water extraction broad for scale irrigation or industry Major or national state rail bridge or highway, river ferry crosses High productivity area irrigation – intensive or high rainfall dairy or or agricultural intensive urban residential River reach used by used by River reach and is a major tourists regional for focus economy Wiseman’s eg Windsor, Ferry Critical to regional regional Critical to fi commercial industry with a wide variety of harvests Off supply water shing Major regional roads roads Major regional river cross Irrigation, high rainfall, Irrigation, high rainfall, cropping, acre broad or grazing mixed forestry River reach used River reach with tourists by to contribution economy regional eg Penrith Used consistently for for consistently Used fi commercial shing activities shing Take and use Take for licences domestic or small scale industry purposes Minor local roads with stream cross small bridges or crossings road Dryland / mixed or rural grazing residential River reach used River reach and tourists by high medium to to contribution local (village) eg St economy Albans Infrequent or limited commercial fi Basic riparian rights only Small in-stream Small in-stream structures such as stormwater outlets only Lifestyle / Lifestyle farming hobby non-intensive agriculture River reach used River reach and tourists by contribution low local economy to Turner eg Bob on Colo Track shing or domestic / riparian rights extraction in reach including National Park not used by not used by tourists commercial commercial fi proclaimed proclaimed supply water No data No licensed No data No structures No data Bushland, No data River reach No data Not used for No data Not a Rapid reach Appendix 4.4 Appendix assessment tools sh shing operators? operators? shing sh, etc. sh, sourcenition & information 0 1 2 3 4 5 shing drinking supply? town water -take for processes? river ected by Assets: Technical Panel rating Panel Technical Assets: Irrigation supply water irrigation? extracted and used for Is water the reach from and extract domestic the reach for basic riparian rights for water have Do landowners stock? purposes or for assessment panel technical database, licence Water Economic asset, defi asset, Economic Riparian infrastructure be that could or within the reach infrastructure lie within the riparian corridor Does any aff infrastructure etc. culverts, sewage or stormwater bridges, include roads, may This maps panel assessment, topographic Technical Landuse value reach? landuse beside the river What is the dominant riverside maps, panel assessment, topographic Technical Quality Assessment Water landuse maps in Surface Tourism the local or to much does it contribute and how tourists for a drawcard reach Is the river economy? regional panel assessment Technical (including eels), crustaceans, shellfi (including eels), crustaceans, panel assessment, plus NSW DPI Technical available data where - Fisheries May include a varietyMay of harvests such as fi Commercial fi Commercial fi commercial used by reach Is the river Assets: datasets drinking water Town off Is there supply water report,Hawkesbury local government Nepean River Management Forum authority information Economic Assets Rating Scale Assets Rating Economic

HAWKESBURY NEPEAN RIVER HEALTH STRATEGY 133 cially armoured armoured cially Stock or human access or human access Stock with visible damage along 25% of reach over One or more species One or more damage causing severe Reach prone to heavy to Reach prone infestations >50% vegetation cover >50% vegetation Fully engineered, engineered, Fully diverted straightened, or artifi channel Stock or human Stock with visible access damage along 10 – 25% of reach ood levees, levees, ood Stock or human Stock with visible access damage along 0-10% of reach One or more species One or more causing slight damage Occasional minor Occasional outbreaks Between 25 and 50% Between cover of vegetation ering eg fl or mitigation works minor localised bank works protection c locations (name locations) Stock or human Stock with visible access damage focused specifi on limited, public access public access damage impact known presence vegetation cover vegetation No data or No stock No data No obvious No data Little or no No data <25% of No data Natural channel engine level Low way? ed in any protect ood mitigation purposes or to fl ed for ed aquatic weeds in DLWC (1998) The Constructed Constructed The (1998) in DLWC ed aquatic weeds channel banks, include the construction of levee cation may cation sourcenition & information 0 1 2 3 4 5 Damaging access to riparian zone riparian zone to access Damaging the to or humans that is visibly damaging stock by unmanaged access Is there riparian zone? and landsat images panel assessment using air photos Technical Exotic terrestrial pest animal species terrestrial Exotic the and causing visible damage to in the reach pest animals present exotic Are what extent?riverbank, and to panel assessment Technical Wetlands Manual. Wetlands panel assessment Technical Exotic Plant species (Aquatic) Exotic of occurrence? and what is the level aquatic weeds known contain Is the reach to the list of identifi to Refer Exotic Plant species (Riparian Woody Weeds) Woody Plant species (Riparian Exotic (eg. weeds woody of invasive is composed of riparian vegetation What percentage etc)? Lantana, Olive Privet, Honey Locust, Willow, Pussy Willow, Black panel assessment Technical infrastructure. Modifi infrastructure. realignment/diversion or channel armouring. realignment/diversion panel assessment Technical Channels may have been modifi have Channels may Assets: Technical Panel rating Panel Technical Assets: Channel modifi or modifi been engineered Has the channel within reach Threats – defi Threats Threats Rating Scale Rating Threats

134 HAWKESBURY NEPEAN CATCHMENT MANAGEMENT AUTHORITY > 30% of sub-catchment urbanised High hydrological stress High hydrological River dammed for water water River dammed for supply At least one barrier that At interfere with completely functioning ecosystem Btw 10-30% of sub- surfacecatchment urbanised cial barriers cial Medium hydrological Medium hydrological stress Artifi that intermittently interfere with ecosystem functioning 51-75% compliance 50-25% compliance <25 % compliance 51-75% compliance 50-25% compliance <25 % compliance 51-75% compliance 50-25% compliance <25 % compliance cial catchment catchment surface urbanised compliance with compliance selected criteria compliance with compliance selected criteria compliance with compliance selected criteria stress dammed for dammed for supply. water barriers to barriers to ecosystem functioning No data < 10% of sub- No data >75 % No data >75 % No data >75 % No data hydrological Low No data River not No data No artifi ow? This This ow? Rapid reach Appendix 4.4 Appendix assessment tools uence. sh barriers dataset cation/extraction sh passage, including weirs, road crossings, bridges and causeways crossings, road including weirs, sh passage, Urban land use Percentage of sub-catchment urbanised / covered with of sub-catchment urbanised / covered Urban land use Percentage impervious sub-catchments surfaces, individual river ideally for (rating applies to all reaches). Quality Assessment Water Land use maps in Surface WQ - Secondary Recreation Quality report Assessment ranking secondary for Water What is the Surface recreation? 2001). Guidelines (DLWC ANZECC/HRC WQ to Ranking Social Assets. to and Economic Threat Quality 1995-1999 Assessment Water Surface WQ - Primary Recreation Quality report Assessment ranking primary for Water What is the Surface recreation? 2001). Guidelines (DLWC ANZECC/HRC WQ to Ranking Social Assets. to and Economic Threat Quality 1995-1999 Assessment Water Surface WQ - Aquatic System protection System WQ - Aquatic Quality report Assessment ranking aquatic for Water What is the Surface ecosystems? 2001). Guidelines (DLWC ANZECC/HRC WQ to Ranking Assets. and Environmental Economic Social, to Threat Quality 1995-1999 Assessment Water Surface Flow modifi Flow the sub-catchment? to has been assigned Stress of Hydrological What level all reaches applies to stress ranking hydrologic Rivers sub catchment Stressed for in the sub-catchment Report Rivers Assessment Stressed Flow regulation regulation Flow that impedes fl reach of the river supply dam upstream a water Is there the to supply dam and reaches water of any downstream includes all reaches limit of dam pool infl upstream Dams Threats Rating Scale Rating (cont.) Threats rating Assets: Datasets functioning ecosystem Barriers to on barriers to functioning Focus in the reach? ecosystem barriers to any there Are fi fi NSW DPI – Fisheries

HAWKESBURY NEPEAN RIVER HEALTH STRATEGY 135 cation cation / extraction WQ – Primary recreationWQ – Secondary recreationUrban land use STEP 2 Threat rating Threat STEP 2 – drinking regulation dams water Flow shingaccess Damaging shing Irrigation supply water Channel modifi cance Non-motor boatingNon-motor signifi Landuse value plant species - aquatic Exotic cance cance skiing Motor boating / water Riparian infrastructure plant species riparian - woody Exotic cant vegetation community vegetation cant Signifi Macro invertebratesMacro signifi of environmental Sites Heritage - Indigenous protection system WQ – Aquatic ENVIRONMENTALRiparian vegetation SOCIAL fi Recreational Fish ECONOMIC Heritage - European THREATS modifi Flow Riverbank conditionRiverbank conditionRiverbed Swimming quality Scenic Tourism fi Commercial pest animals terrestrial Exotic SUBCATCHMENTREACHSTEP 1 Asset rating Length Wetlands of signifi Wetlands category river Rare or threatened River condition potentialGeomorphic recovery species or of local Flagship access recreation Public drinking water Town functioning ecosystem Barriers to Table A5: Rapid reach assessment tool - river reach rating sheet rating reach - river tool A5: Rapidassessment reach Table

136 HAWKESBURY NEPEAN CATCHMENT MANAGEMENT AUTHORITY Action triggers Y/N Action triggers style Rare river impacts downstream Severe threat immediate Severe Y/N Status quo trigger and very Asset low High Environmental rating threat Other with increased community support:with increased Rapid reach Appendix 4.4 Appendix assessment tools cant threats e.g. STPs, major stormwater outlets major stormwater STPs, e.g. cant threats Community-based environment activity environment Community-based Individual – number – name/s Group/s support funding:Current eg program, future: for requirements Anticipated Other signifi Threat addressed be better that could Threats Supplementary data / information: Threat / Asset General Comments: Description / contact Details of data and organisation Data Gaps: Data

HAWKESBURY NEPEAN RIVER HEALTH STRATEGY 137 138 HAWKESBURY NEPEAN CATCHMENT MANAGEMENT AUTHORITY Table A6: Flagship species associated with river reaches

River reach name Flagship Species associated with reach

Bedford R1 Powerful owls, Gliders, Adam’s Emerald Dragonfl y.

Berowra R1 Blue Gum High Forest.

Berowra R2 Australian Bass.

Berowra tidal Oysters.

Big Boree R2 Habitat values associated with National Park (NP).

Big Yengo R2 Yellow-bellied glider.

Calna R1 Blue Gum High Forest.

Calna R2 Australian Bass.

Capertee R2 Regent Honeyeater.

Capertee R3 Regent Honeyeater.

Capertee R4 Regent Honeyeater Program. Rock Wallabies on escarpment.

Capertee R5 Regent Honeyeater

Cascade R1 Habitat values associated with Greater Blue Mountains World Heritage Area (GBMWHA).

Cattai R1 Water dragon; glossy black; platypus in tributary.

Cattai R2 Sea Eagles, Platypus, Glossy Black Cockatoos, Gliders - yellow bellied and greater gliders. Best site for Western Sydney Dry Rainforest in Sydney at Mitchell Park and Cattai Bridge Reserve.

Cockle R1 Water Dragons - sculpture of Water Dragon on reach.

Cockle R2 Refer to Ku-ring-gai National Park species list. Southern brown bandicoot; red crowned toadlets; platypus; record of leathery turtle.

Coco R2 Regent Honeyeater.

Colah R1 Diamond Pythons.

Colo R1 Regent Bowerbird; lyrebirds, freshwater mussel, Koala, dingo, Red Cedar.

Colo R2 Habitat values associated with GBMWHA.

Cowan R1 Powerful Owl and Lyrebirds. Swamp wallabies, bandicoots.

Cowan R2 Native fi sh and Macquarie toadlets etc. Estuary Perch, Australian Bass and Giant Burrowing Frog. Red crowned toadlets; maybe platypus (recorded 2 creeks over); Macquarie Perch further down, giant burrowing frog.

Cowan tidal “Hairtail”; osprey (threatened).

Farmers R3 Copper Wing Butterfl y. Rapid reach Appendix 4.4 Appendix Gibbs R1 Regent Honeyeater. Swamp wallaby, Golden bell frog. Paper bark (‘Snow in Summer”) canopy along creek. assessment tools

Glenbrook R2 Lyrebirds, Eastern Grey Kangaroos. National Park and associated species.

Govetts Leap Habitat values associated with GBMWHA. Brook R1

Govetts R1 National parks/GBMWHA values & associated species. Blue Mountains Water Skink, Microstachys - Upper mountains species on south facing slopes.

Greaves Ck R1 Habitat values associated with GBMWHA.

Grose R1 Habitat values associated with GBMWHA.

Grose R2 Habitat values associated with GBMWHA.

Guineacor Ck R2 Rock wallaby, glossy black cockatoos. Appendix 4.5 Appendix Flagship Species Flagship

HAWKESBURY NEPEAN RIVER HEALTH STRATEGY 139139 Hawkesbury_ Glossy black cockatoo, Channel Bill Cuckoo, Koel, fl ying fox transitional colonies; migratory birds in wetlands Nepean R1 - wedge tail eagles and harriers. Australian Bass.

Hawkesbury_ Eucalyptus elata at Half Moon Farm. Nepean R2

HNER1 Hawkesbury Prawns, Mangroves, Black Cockatoo, Owls.

HNER2 Oysters and jewfi sh.

HNER3 Jewfi sh, squid, turtles, birds, sea eagles, pelicans, penguins.

Jenolan R1 Platypus. Eucalyptus pulvalenta. Brushed tail rock wallabies.

Jenolan R2 Brushed tail rock wallabies.

Jocks R2 Platypus. Bentwing bats in She Oaks.

Katoomba Ck R1 Habitat values associated with GBMWHA.

Kialla Ck R1 Platypus

Little Mooney Values associated with national park. Mintbush on Somersby Plateau. Gymea Lily. Mooney R1

Lovers Jump R1 Blue Gum High Forest, water dragons.

Lovers Jump R2 Redcrowned toadlet and Ku-ring-gai Chase National park species associated with National Parks ecosystems. Powerful owl. Southern Brown Bandicoot.

Lower Pelicans, water birds, Platypus. Wollondilly R1

Lower Platypus. Wollondilly R2

Lower Glossy Black Cockatoos, Platypus, Koalas, Jourilands Regent Honeyeater, Brush-tail rock wallaby. Wollondilly R3

Lt Cattai R2 Most aquatic biodiverse creek in Western Sydney, Eastern Grey Kangaroo, Sea Eagles, Platypus, Black Swans.

Mangrove R1 Angophora species. Glossy black Cockatoos, Powerful owls, Lyrebirds, old-growth Eucalyptus deanii forest.

Mangrove tidal Mud crabs, jewfi sh, mangroves, prawns.

Marangaroo R2 Platypus, Eustacus sp (spiny crayfi sh).

Marangaroo R3 Platypus; broad head snakes.

McCarrs R1 Southern brown bandicoot, red crowned toadlet, giant burrowing frog, heath monitor, powerful owl, glossy black cockatoo, squirrel glider, galaxis fi sh.

Megalong Ck R1 Bottle Brush ‘Melaleuca sp Megalong Valley’.

Mooney Mooney National Park values, Platypus, quoll, Echidna R2

Mooney Mooney Oysters, prawns, mudcrabs, mangroves. tidal

Mulwaree R2 Water fowl.

Nattai R1 Platypus in the brewery pool.

Nepean R1 Platypus, Lyrebirds; Eagles, Australian Bass.

Nepean R2 Eucalyptus benthamii

Nepean R3 Platypus, Bass, Eucalyptus benthamii.

Nepean R4 Sea Eagles, platypus, Australian Bass.

Nepean R5 Sea Eagles, platypus, Australian Bass.

140 HAWKESBURY NEPEAN CATCHMENT MANAGEMENT AUTHORITY Nepean R6 Australian Bass, birdlife.

O’Haras R1 Wallabies, Koalas, Platypus and native plant species. Turpentine/Ironbark forest in Headwaters.

Paddy’s R2 Paddy’s River Box. Platypus. Bird species.

Paddy’s R3 Platypus.

Pittwater Associated with national parks. Fairy penguins and stone curlew (Migratory birds in Careel Bay).

Putty R2 Regent Honeyeater.

Red Rock R2 Regent Honeyeater.

River Lett R2 Grevillea rosmarinifolia, Asterolasia buxifolia.

Ropes R3 Grevillia juniperina.

Ropes R4 Eucalyptus bauerana.

South R2 Australian Bass.

Tarlo R1 Platypus.

Tarlo R2 Platypus/National Park Tarlo River - habitat values.

Thompsons R1 Black swan, grebe (Trout).

Tunks R1 Adams Emerald Dragonfl y, Australian Bass.

Upper Nepean Platypus, koala. R1

Upper Nepean Platypus, Bass, birds - Kingfi sh, Lyrebirds, echidnas, eagles. R4

Upper Platypus. Wollondilly R2

Upper Platypus. Wollondilly R4

Webbs R3 Australian Bass.

Webbs tidal Australian Bass and other estuarine fi sh species.

Wentworth R1 Habitat values associated with GBMWHA.

Werriberri R1 Eucalyptus benthamii

Werriberri R2 National Park.

Wheeny R2 Diamond Python, Grey Headed Flying Fox, Australian Bass, Greater Glider. Glossy Black cockatoos. Platypus. Rapid reach

Wingecarribee Platypus and bird life. 4.4 Appendix assessment tools R1

Wingecarribee Platypus. R2

Wingecarribee Platypus, Glossy black cockatoos, Brush tailed wallaby. R3

Wolgan R2 Glossy Black Cockatoo, Spotted tail Quoll, Regent Honeyeater, Yellow Footed Antichinus.

Wolgan R3 GBMWHA habitat values - Brush Tail Rock Wallaby.

Wolgan Trib R2 Regent Honeyeater Program, Spotted tail quoll, Glossy Black Cockatoos, Yellow footed antichinus. Appendix 4.5 Appendix Flagship Species Flagship

HAWKESBURY NEPEAN RIVER HEALTH STRATEGY 141141 References

Australian Government (2004) Hawkesbury Nepean Report Card Australian Government Canberra Available online at www.nrm.gov.au/state/nsw/hawkesbury-nepean/publications/report-card/index.html Environment Australia (2001) Directory of Important Wetlands in Australia Third Edition Department of Environment and Heritage Canberra Available online at www.deh.gov.au/water/wetlands/database/ Hawkesbury Nepean Catchment Management Authority (2005) Hawkesbury Nepean Draft Catchment Action Plan 2006 – 2015 Hawkesbury Nepean Catchment Management Authority Goulburn Available online at www.hn.cma.nsw.gov.au/ Independent Expert Panel on Environmental Flows for the Shoalhaven, Hawkesbury Nepean and Woronora catchments (2002) Some possible implications of global warming on the Hawkesbury Nepean Report to the Hawkesbury Nepean River Management Forum Department of Infrastructure, Planning and Natural Resources Sydney Independent Expert Panel on Environmental Flows for the Shoalhaven, Hawkesbury Nepean and Woronora catchments (2003) Regionally signifi cant wetlands and environmental fl ows. Report to the Hawkesbury Nepean River Management Forum Department of Infrastructure, Planning and Natural Resources Sydney New South Wales Department of Environment and Conservation NSW (2003) Audit of the Sydney Drinking Water Catchment. Report to the Minister for the Environment NSW State Government Department of Environment and Conservation Sydney Available online at www.environment.nsw.gov.au/water/sydneycatchmentaudit.htm New South Wales Department of Infrastructure, Planning and Natural Resources Hawkesbury Nepean River Management Forum (2004) Water and Sydney’s Future. Balancing the values of our rivers and economy Department of Infrastructure, Planning and Natural Resources Sydney Available online at www.waterforlife.nsw.gov.au/publications/index.shtml New South Wales Department of Infrastructure, Planning and Natural Resources (2003) Hydrological and water quality assessment of the Cataract River; June 1999 to October 2002. Implications for the management of longwall coal mining Department of Infrastructure, Planning and Natural Resources Sydney Available online at www.dlwc.nsw.gov.au/regions/sydney/cataractriver.html New South Wales Department of Infrastructure, Planning and Natural Resources (2006) Water for Life 2006 Metropolitan Water Plan Department of Infrastructure, Planning and Natural Resources Sydney Available online at www.waterforlife.nsw.gov.au New South Wales Department of Land and Water Conservation (1999) Stressed Rivers Assessment Report Hawkesbury Nepean Catchment NSW Department of Land and Water Conservation Sydney New South Wales summary available online at www.dlwc.nsw.gov.au/care/water/wr/pdfs/stressedrivers.pdf New South Wales Department of Land & Water Conservation (2001a) Geomorphic Categorisation of Streams in the Hawkesbury Nepean Catchment Department of Land & Water Conservation Sydney New South Wales Department of Land and Water Conservation (2001b) Surface Water Quality Assessment of the Hawkesbury Nepean Catchment 1995-1999 NSW Department of Land and Water Conservation Sydney Available online at www.dlwc.nsw.gov.au/care/water/swqa/index.html New South Wales Department of Land and Water Conservation (2003) Integrated Catchment Management Plan for the Warragamba Catchment. Also known as the Warragamba Catchment Blueprint Department of Land and Water Conservation Sydney Available online at www.dlwc.nsw.gov.au/care/cmb/blueprints/pdf/warragamba_blueprint.pdf New South Wales Department of Land and Water Conservation (2003a) Integrated Catchment Management Plan for the Hawkesbury Lower Nepean Catchment. Also known as the Hawkesbury Lower Nepean Catchment Blueprint Department of Land and Water Conservation Sydney Available online at www.dlwc.nsw.gov.au/care/cmb/blueprints/pdf/hawkesbury_lower_nepean_blueprint.pdf New South Wales Department of Urban Aff airs and Planning (1996) Signifi cant wetlands of the Hawkesbury Nepean river valley. A study prepared by P&J Smith Ecological Consultants Department of Planning Sydney New South Wales Government (2002) State Water Management Outcomes Plan New South Wales Parliament Sydney Available online at www.legislation.nsw.gov.au

142 HAWKESBURY NEPEAN CATCHMENT MANAGEMENT AUTHORITY New South Wales Natural Resources Commission (2005) Standard for Quality Natural Resource Management Natural Resources Commission Sydney Available online at www.nrc.nsw.gov.au New South Wales Natural Resources Commission (2005a) Recommendations State-wide standard and targets Natural Resources Commission Sydney Available online at www.nrc.nsw.gov.au Rutherford, Ian D., Jerie, Kathryn & March, Nicholas (2000) A Rehabilitation Manual for Australian Streams Volume 1 Cooperative Research Centre for Catchment Hydrology and Land and Water Resources Research and Development Corporation Canberra Available online at www.rivers.gov.au/publicat/rehabmanual.htm Schofi eld, N.J. & Davies, P.E. (1996) Measuring the health of our rivers Water May/June 1996, 39-43 as quoted on the Commonwealth Department of Environment and Heritage River Health web site which can be viewed online at www.deh.gov.au/water/rivers/monitoring.html#defi ne State of Victoria, Department of Natural Resources and Environment (2002) Victorian River Health Strategy Fact Sheet: Understanding River Health State of Victoria, Department of Natural Resources and Environment Melbourne Available online at http://www.dse.vic.gov.au/dse/index.htm and enter River Health Strategy in the site search engine State of Victoria , Department of Natural Resources and Environment (2002a) Victorian River Health Strategy State of Victoria, Department of Natural Resources and Environment Melbourne Available online at http://www.dse.vic.gov.au/dse/index.htm and enter River Health Strategy in the site search engine Tindall, D. et.al. (2005) Native vegetation map report series. No. 4. Version 2.2 NSW Dept of Environment and Conservation and NSW Dept of Infrastructure, Planning and Natural Resources, Sydney. West Gippsland Catchment Management Authority (2004) River Health Strategy West Gippsland Catchment Public Exposure Draft March 2004 West Gippsland Catchment Management Authority Traralgon Available online at http://www.wgcma.vic.gov.au/ Acronyms CAP Catchment Action Plan CMA Catchment Management Authority DEC Department of Environment and Conservation DNR Department of Natural Resources DPI Department of Primary Industries GCS Geomorphic Categorisation of Streams in the Hawkesbury Nepean Catchment MAT Management action target NSW New South Wales HNCMA Hawkesbury Nepean Catchment Management Authority RRAP Rapid reach assessment process STP Sewerage treatment plant

HAWKESBURY NEPEAN RIVER HEALTH STRATEGY 143