RCE Greater Western Sydney - 2020

Location

Australia
AU
Hawkesbury-Nepean Riverkeeper: A community voice for the River
Basic Information
Title of project : 
Hawkesbury-Nepean Riverkeeper: A community voice for the River
Submitting RCE: 
RCE Greater Western Sydney
Contributing organization(s) : 
Western Sydney University (School of Science and Sustainable Futures), Cattai Hills Environment Network, Greater Sydney Local Land Services, Hawkesbury-Nepean Landcare Network and Stream Watch Greater Sydney Landcare Network
Focal point(s) and affiliation(s)
Name: 
Brittany Hardiman
Organizational Affiliation: 
Western Sydney University
Format of project: 
Webinars, report publication
Language of project: 
English
Date of submission:
Monday, October 19, 2020
Geographical & Education Information
Region: 
Asia-Pacific
Country: 
Australia
Location(s): 
Western Sydney
Address of focal point institution for project: 
Locked Bag 1797, Penrith, NSW, 2751
Target Audience:
Description of sustainable development challenge(s) in the area the project addresses: 
The Hawkesbury Nepean River is the largest river in the Sydney Basin. It supplies drinking water to over four million people. It is bounded by agricultural, urban, rural-urban residential developments. It is a popular recreational area for boating, fishing and water skiing. It is also an important swimming destination for people seeking relief from increasing summer heat extremes in Western Sydney. There are a number of specific threats to the Hawkesbury Nepean River including increasing urbanisation, outflows from sewage treatment plants, degradation of riparian vegetation and extensive agricultural activity.
Contents
Status: 
Ongoing
Period: 
April, 2020 to December, 2021
Rationale: 
Unlike other rivers in Sydney (e.g.: The Georges River) there is currently no coordinated approach to the monitoring, assessment and project works currently being undertaken in the river. This grant will support the creation of a building a Riverkeeper Alliance in the Hawkesbury Nepean River which will allow for a coordinated approach to river management. Members of the current project team have developed a white paper which identified the need for a Riverkeeper Alliance for the Hawkesbury Nepean River. The Alliance was established in 2010 as an RCE project, but has been dormant for some time. This program is the revitilization of the Alliance and the reestablishment of a community voice for the river.
Objectives: 
The Riverkeeper Alliance will improve the knowledge of the stakeholders of the River. The Riverkeeper Alliance will be in a position to not only provide concerned members of the public with a point of contact but also be in a position to liaise with members of industry and community stakeholders in an effort adopt an effective and coordinated strategy to protect and improve river health. The Riverkeeper alliance will be a change champion for the River. They will maintain and manage collaborative projects with community, government and research organisations. The Alliance will play an advocacy and educational role. The role of the Riverkeeper Alliance will provide independent and scientifically informed monitoring of river health and assist with community-based responses and remediation.
Activities and/or practices employed: 
A virtual forum was held on the 25th of September 2020 and was attended by over 80 participants from 23 industry bodies including local councils and seven community groups. Discussions undertaken in this forum showed that there was a clear need for a coordinated approach to river management and that there was strong support from industry and community groups for the establishment of a Riverkeeper in the Hawkesbury Nepean River.
Size of academic audience: 
80
Results: 
A final report the echos the voices of the community is currently being prepared. This report will be used to shape the Alliance government structure, stakeholder network and direction moving forward.
Lessons learned: 
N/A
Key messages: 
The Hawkesbury-Nepean River Alliance is a unique partnership between local stakeholders and the community working together to protect the health and vitality of the Hawkesbury-Nepean River.
Relationship to other RCE activities: 
This project relates to one of three core strategies of RCE-GWS.
Funding: 
N/A. We are currently apply for funding to support this project.

Pictures:

File Name Caption for picture Photo Credit
Hawkesbury-Nepean River
UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
(https://sustainabledevelopment.un.org/sdgs) and other themes of Education for Sustainable Development (ESD)
SDG 4 - Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all 
Indirect
SDG 5 - Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls 
Indirect
SDG 6 - Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all 
Direct
SDG 13 - Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts 
Indirect
SDG 14 - Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development 
Direct
SDG 15 - Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification and halt and reverse land degradation, and halt biodiversity loss 
Direct
Theme
Forests/Trees 
Indirect
ESD for 2030-Priority Action Areas
Priority Action Area 1 - Advancing policy 
state: 
Indirect
Priority Action Area 5 - Accelerating sustainable solutions at local level 
state: 
Direct
Update: 
No