After just over two years of very intensive activity, the Hawkesbury-Nepean River Recovery Program (HNRRP) is coming to an end, having successfully delivered its intended outcomes on time and under budget. The final edition of HNRRP e-news reflects on some of the major achievements from the seven HNRRP projects and celebrates the great work that has been done to improve the health of the Hawkesbury-Nepean catchment. The Hawkesbury-Nepean river system frames the western edge of the Sydney Basin and is one of New South Wales’ most important natural assets.
Attended by leading scientists, community groups, government agencies and corporate leaders from over 25 nations, the 14th International Riversymposium will explore the multiple reasons that rivers are valuable ranging from economics through to cultural and spiritual values. This year’s program will have a strong focus on the management and recovery of our rivers and waterways, in accordance with the overall theme, The Value of Rivers.
The Australian River Restoration Centre (ARRC) website features a new page of urban waterway restoration resource links provided by the Sydney Metropolitan CMA.
The UK-based Urban River Corridors and Sustainable Living Agendas (URSULA) project is tackling river corridor issues holistically by treating the river and its urban setting as a system. Throughout the project, URSULA is developing innovations, tools and knowledge to help guide the regeneration of urban river corridors worldwide.
The last edition of HNRRP e-news discussed how the Hawkesbury-Nepean River Recovery Program is meeting one of its key objectives – the prevention of an estimated 48.2 tonnes of nutrients (nitrogen and phosphorus) entering the Hawkesbury-Nepean river system each year. In the June 2011 edition of HNRRP e-news we look at our other key objective – securing 7.24 gigalitres (billion litres) per year for additional environmental flows in the Hawkesbury-Nepean river system. You can also read about the HNRRP projects and how they are progressing as the program nears completion.
“Source to Sea” is an ABC Landline story about balancing urban sprawl with food production in some of the nation’s most fertile farming areas. Much of the debate in the Sydney basin focuses on the demand for new residential developments. But if agriculture, fishing and horticulture are to survive on the fringe of Australia’s biggest city, the health of the Hawkesbury-Nepean river catchment will be of equal importance.
The Hawkesbury Nepean River Recovery Program (HNRRP) aims to help improve the health of the river system by reducing the amount of nutrients entering the river system and making more water available for environmental flows. The March 2011 issue of HNRRP e-news explores one of these important objectives, looking at how the HNRRP is working to prevent an estimated 48.2 tonnes of nutrients entering the river system each year and discussing how this will benefit the river. You can also read about the start of works for the Hawkesbury City Council South Windsor Effluent Reuse Scheme and some interesting insights into other HNRRP projects.
The Thiess International and Australian Riverprizes are awarded for excellence in river management, and since 1999 RiverFoundation has awarded over AU$2.75 million in Riverprize awards. In 2011, Thiess International and Australian Riverprize winners and finalists will each receive a trophy and a cash prize. A twinning grant will be made available to the winner of each category to facilitate the sharing of their knowledge and expertise. Submissions are now open until 30 March 2011. The 2011 Riverprizes will be awarded at a Gala Dinner held as part of the 14th International Riversymposium (26-29 September 2011, Brisbane, Australia). To find out more or apply visit Riverprize 2011 – How to enter.