Rivers and Catchments
Healthy rivers and catchments are vital for the supply of high quality drinking water and to support the ecosystems, communities and economies relying on them.
Preservation and protection of the Sydney region’s waterways, and surrounding bushland, are the focus of much effort, reflected in both community-led activities and a wide range of Government controls and initiatives.
Since the 2004 Metropolitan Water Plan, progress has been made towards dedicating more water to meeting environmental needs and implementing programs that improve the water quality in the region’s rivers.
Key achievements to date
To help restore and protect the rivers and aquifers of the Sydney region, and their catchments:
- the Government, in consultation with the community, has developed new rules for the release of water from Tallowa Dam to improve the environmental health of the lower Shoalhaven River
- the Sydney Catchment Authority has completed modifications to Avon Dam to allow environmental water to be released into the Avon River for the first time
- a process has begun to reconfigure Cataract, Cordeaux and Nepean Dams, and the weirs downstream of them, to ensure that water is released and can pass down the rivers to improve their environmental health.
There is a lot more planned. Find out what's next or download the 2007 Progress Report.
Frequently asked questions
- How does the Metropolitan Water Plan affect the health of the rivers of the Sydney Region?
- How will Sydney’s water consumption be managed under the water sharing plans?
- How were the new rules for environmental flows from Tallowa Dam developed?
- What’s next?
To find out more visit the Sydney Catchment Authority website or view Chapter 8 of the Plan.
The NSW Government is committed to protecting and rehabilitating the health of Sydney's river systems and surrounding environments.
This page was last updated on 31 Mar 2008.