Georges River Estuary Management Plan

In the last 12 months the GRCCC has also embarked on the development of an Estuary Management Plan (EMP) for the Georges River.  We are currently progressing the Data Compilation and Estuary Processes study phases of the plan.  This will collate all relevant resource information and define the baseline conditions of the various estuarine processes (physical, biological and chemical) and the interactions between them and possible impacts from human uses to enable management options to be meaningfully considered based on the best possible science.

The Georges River Estuary Management plan study area extends for the Liverpool Weir to Botany Bay, with Towra Point to the south and the C ooks River to the north forming the eastern boundary.  This comprises the tidal waterways, bays, foreshores and adjacent lands of the Georges River and its major tributaries.  Participating councils include:  Bankstown, Liverpool, Rockdale, Kogarah, Sutherland and Hurstville.

All actions within an adopted EMP are eligible for grant funding up to 50% of the total cost through the NSW Government’s Estuary Management Program.  Actions within a Plan receive top priority when compared with Councils applying for grants who have no estuary management plan.

The Georges River Estuary Management Plan will allow councils to:

• Protect important coastal habitats, features and heritage items;

• Rehabilitate degraded areas;
• Improve public access and amenity;
• Accomodate sustainable population growth and resource utilisation;
• Obtain funding to carry out works;
• Prioritise what needs to be done to better manage the estuary;
• Gain community support and acceptance on managing the estuary;
• Enhance cooperation between councils, agencies and stakeholders.

Why do we need an Estuary Management Plan?

The Georges River estuary is located in the southwest of Sydney.  While the Georges River originates 5km southeast of Appin and flows north to Campbelltown then to Liverpool, the beginning of the estuary is at Liverpool Weir, which is the tidal limit.  The weir was constructed in 1836 to provide water to the town of Liverpool.

The estuary is divided into two regions: Upper Reaches, the beginning of the estuary from Liverpool weir to Salt Pan Creek; and Lower Reaches, Salt Pan Creek to Botany Bay.  Major tidal tributaries to the estuary are, Cabramatta Creek, Prospect Creek, Salt Pan Creek, and Woronora River.  The Georges River Estuary catchment area covers a significant portion of the Greater Metropolitan Region, which is home to more than a million people.  The land surrounding the estuary is highly urbanised and supports many land uses including: Army firing rang, market gardens, agriculture, mining, industrial manufacturing landfills and nuclear research facilities.  The lower reach of the Georges River estuary has been completely modified and residential development extends to the foreshore in most locations.  The estuary is also a popular recreational area for many people in the surrounding communities for fishing, waterskiing, and swimming.

The major sources of pollution to the Georges River Estuary are stormwater run off from urban areas including roads and open spaces, wet weather sewer overflows, past contamination of land and sediment, and stormwater run off from rural lands.  These sources put metals, oils, grease, toxic organic compounds and high levels of nutrients in the river. Contaminants found in bottom sediments have resulted in commercial and recreational fishing bans in the lower reaches.  An oyster industry previously operated but was stopped due to oyster disease.  In addition, poor water quality after heavy rains compromises swimming and boating activities.  Increased runoff from impervious surfaces, the removal of upland swamps, groundwater extractions and past dredging have modified the volume and pattern of the river flows. 

Wetlands exist along much of the river but the size of wetland locations have decreased over the past 10 years.  Floodplain wetlands are found in the middle reaches of the river and in the major tributaries.  Estuarine wetlands are found in the lower reaches of the river, including Towra Point wetlands which are of international significance.  The overall ecology of the estuary area has been modified by the urbanization of the area, causing a decrease in native flora and fauna communities.

Background of the Estuary Management Committee

The Georges River Estuary Management Committee (GREMC) has recently been established as a sub-committee of the Georges River Combined Councils' Committee (GRCCC).  The GRCCC was founded in 1979 and consists of nine councils: Bankstown, Campbelltown, Fairfield, Hurstville, Liverpool, and Rockdale City Councils, Kogarah Council, and Sutherland and Wollondilly Shire Councils, with the underlined councils forming part of the estuary sub-committee.  The purpose of the Georges River Estuary Management Committee is to prepare and implement an Estuary Management Plan for the extent of the Georges River estuary.  This is in accordance with the NSW Government's Estuary Management Policy.

The NSW Estuary Management Policy has been created to achieve an integrated, balanced, responsible and ecologically sustainable use of the State's estuaries.  The policy aims to promote cooperation between the NSW Government, Local Government, Catchment Management Authorities, landholders and estuary users in the development and implementation of Estuary Management Plans for each estuary throughout NSW.  The estuary management process is outlined in the Estuary Management Manual (NSW Government, 1992) and in summary the process consists of eight steps as follows:

1. Form an Estuary Management Committee;
2. Assemble, compile and interpret existing data;
3. Carry out Estuary Processes Study;
4. Carry out Estuary Management Study;
5. Draft Estuary Management Plan;
6. Review Estuary Management Plan;
7. Adopt and implement Estuary Management Plan;
8. Monitor and review.