Western Sydney Community Cabinet

The Premier held his first Community Cabinet on 9 October 2008, announcing the establishment of an Office for the Hawkesbury-Nepean River in Penrith and $29 million for weir modifications.  The office will be a one-stop-shop to improve the management of the river, bringing together a range of programs to support river health.

The Premier, along with the Minister for Western Sydney, David Borger and local representatives held a public forum in Penrith and a meeting in St Marys with community groups.

“Western Sydney representatives are working hard to ensure the issues facing families in Western Sydney are high on the Government’s agenda,” he said.

Outcomes of the Community Cabinet

Office of the Hawkesbury-Nepean River

The establishment of a new office to improve the management of the river was approved in response to local demand.

The Office of the Hawkesbury-Nepean River will open in March 2009 and will work with local council and stakeholders to provide programs including for weed management. A stakeholder committee will provide advice to the office. The application process for in-stream developments will also be improved to be more accessible for applicants.

$29 million for weir modifications

Funding for a new $29 million program to improve 15 weirs along the Hawkesbury-Nepean River was approved.

The program will allow fish passage and new and improved environmental flows. The Cataract, Cordeaux, Avon and Nepean dams will receive improvements to weirs by the end of 2009.

The weir modifications are in preparation for the release of new environmental flows in 2010 to improve the health of the river.