Councillor Mitchell Blue – The Hills Shire Council
Readers may recall my previous articles about the Hawkesbury River, where I highlighted the shared responsibility we all have in keeping this vital waterway healthy.
Over the past few years, I’ve had the privilege of attending meetings of the long-established Upper Hawkesbury River Users Group—a passionate collective of ski parks, power boat clubs, commercial fishers, maritime agencies, local councils and other community stakeholders. What unites them is a genuine commitment to the wellbeing of our river. This group consistently raises concerns about the river’s health and strongly advocates for greater understanding and action.
At our Council meeting on 12th August, a Mayoral Minute was put forward calling for a more unified approach to managing the river. The aim is to ensure that real measures and an effective governance model are established—not just words, but action. This includes clearer responsibilities, stronger coordination, and building on the good work already underway through initiatives like the Hawkesbury-Nepean Coastal Management Program.
While the Coastal Management Program that The Hills Shire Council is part of, alongside five neighbouring councils is an important start, much more is needed. The conversation has begun locally, and we are now taking it to the state level. The cumulative impact of development in the catchment can no longer be ignored. If we fail to address these issues, the consequences for the river, its ecosystem, those who use it and those who depend on it, will be significant.
To better understand the issues affecting the river, I was recently invited by local fisherman Gary Howard to spend a day on his prawn trawler. We launched before dawn from Lower Portland and travelled as the sun rose. I was shocked by how much exotic weed was pulled up—a clear sign of the damage being done, alongside many other contributing factors.
I learned a great deal about the fishing industry, its sustainability practices, and how fishers like Gary are working hard to raise awareness of current concerns. He explained the prawn lifecycle, the nutrients they rely on, and possible reasons why prawns in the river aren’t reaching their usual size. I can positively report one thing: the prawns were delicious.
Navigating the river was challenging in parts. At one location, low tide revealed water barely more than two feet deep due to significant sand build-up—yet another issue that needs attention. It was also fascinating to learn how the river behaves during dry periods and how flooding reshapes the riverbed, how upstream treated water inputs alters water quality, and the impacts of where salt and freshwater meet.
Spending the day with Gary was an invaluable experience that highlighted not only his passion for the river, but the passion shared by so many others who rely on and care for it. Together, we must continue working constructively to achieve better management outcomes for this vital waterway. We’ve made an important start at a local level, and our advocacy will continue. This will not be the last time you hear me speak about the Hawkesbury River and the important responsibility we all share in protecting it.