The beautiful Hawkesbury River comes into focus on World Rivers Day, Sunday, 26 September thanks to collaboration between local and state government.
"Everyone along the Hawkesbury-Nepean River catchment area can join in the World Rivers Day celebrations by entering a photography competition to capture what the River means to them," said Hornsby Shire Mayor, Philip Ruddock.
"We want to know what our community values most about one of our greatest waterways, the beautiful Hawkesbury-Nepean River – what you love, and what needs protection now and into the future."
The 'Our Hawkesbury' photo competition is the first in a series of community activities that form part of the development of the Hawkesbury-Nepean Coastal Management Program (CMP).
"The Hawkesbury-Nepean River, its waterways and the estuary are a great place to live, work and visit. The River supports a significant economy, a rich and biodiverse environment and has a long history of spiritual, cultural and recreational interests," said Mayor Ruddock.
To celebrate World Rivers Day, six local councils and the NSW Government are launching 'Our Hawkesbury River' photography competition to raise awareness of the Hawkesbury-Nepean coastal management program (CMP).
Six partner councils are collaborating to develop the CMP – Hornsby Shire, Hawkesbury, Central Coast, Ku-ring-gai, Northern Beaches and Hills Shire.
"One of the key pieces is community engagement, and the photography competition is the first step in learning about our community's relationship with the river," Mayor Ruddock said.
The massive Hawkesbury-Nepean waterway stretches 470 km from its source in Goulburn, before wrapping all around Sydney all the way through Windsor, Wisemans Ferry, then to Brooklyn, and Barrenjoey where it meets the ocean."
Minister for Local Government Shelley Hancock congratulated the partner councils on their vision and collaboration.
"It's wonderful to see the community engagement aspect of this CMP start with such a fun and purposeful competition," Mrs Hancock said.
"As it moves towards the coast, the Hawkesbury-Nepean River system carries water runoff from 24 council areas before flowing into the Pacific Ocean past Pittwater and Brisbane Water.
"This river truly embraces Sydney and it's exciting to see these six councils collaborate on this massive project to help protect the Hawkesbury-Nepean river health by developing its coastal management program."
The Hawkesbury-Nepean CMP will be developed with funding from councils and the NSW Government, including $371,662 in grants from the NSW Government's Coastal and Estuary Grants Program to date.
Competition prizes include one of three NSW National Parks and Wildlife annual All-Parks Passes worth $190, and the competition closes on Sunday 17 October.
See details and how to enter online https://hawkesburynepeancmp.org/engagement
