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260409 Waterways Open Letter to Council.pdfWhy Rezone our Waterways from W1 (Natural) to W2 (Recreational)?
Why Rezone our Waterways from W1 (Natural) to W2 (Recreational)?
Since 2023 Council has been actively working toward the rezoning of Sutherland Shire waterways to permit greater development. During this time there has been NO community consultation. The proposal includes the Woronora River.
This isn’t the first time that Council has attempted to introduce such major changes to our waterways. An attempt in 2013 led to significant public outcry and an Independent Review by the State Government. At that time the community sent a clear message to Council that there was strong opposition to such changes.
So why for the past 3 years has Council renewed the push for change, whilst also excluding the community from the decision-making process?
The proposed rezoning is majorly significant and irreversible. Yet as indicated in the Planning Proposal document, the changes ‘will have a minor positive social benefit on the Sutherland LGA’. Such major changes for minor benefit calls into question the purpose and claimed outcomes of the proposal.
Sutherland Shire, including Woronora, owes much of its unique character to its waterways, and any changes affecting those waterways needs to be very carefully managed. At present the environmental monitoring and management of our waterways is lacking and requires improvement. Is this an appropriate time to introduce significant changes which, according to the planning proposal itself, have the potential to remove existing environmental protections?
The WRCA is proud to support a campaign coordinated by the Sutherland Shire Environment Centre to stop this rezoning. The matter will be voted on at the Council meeting on Tuesday 28 April.
More information is available on the website of the Sutherland Shire Environment Centre:
https://www.ssec.org.au/our-campaigns/waterways-rezoning-proposal/
Barden Ridge Land Clearing - What's Happening??
Barden Ridge Land Clearing - What's Happening??
March 2026: It's now been eight months since legal action against the landowner was dropped and replaced by an Enforceable Undertaking (EU).
There remains no indication of any attempt to restore the devastated land. There's no evidence of:
· Site stabilisation
· Weed removal
· Replanting and ongoing watering
· And of particular importance for the Woronora River, there is no indication that effective sediment control measures have been installed.
For years it has been known that sediment control at this site is ineffective. And for years uncontrolled runoff has continued to flow into the Woronora River, further aggravating the already significant siltation problems.
Council has now advised that a $30K Penalty Notice has been issued, followed by a further $45K penalty notice for continued failure to conduct remediation works to protect the nearby Woronora River. This is welcome news.
But meanwhile, the landowner has also now submitted another Development Application for the site, including a proposal to remove even more trees! Read more in the attached ABC News report.
The destruction of our precious bushland and pollution of our river should carry consequences strong enough to deter others from doing the same. Otherwise it risks sending a message that clearing land first and seeking forgiveness later is an acceptable business model.
Surely our river, our bushland and the community deserves better?
Our Water, Our Environment, Our Future
Our Water, Our Environment, Our Future
Did you know - Sydney is the only city in the world that allows longwall coal mining beneath a publicly owned water catchment! (NSW Chief Scientist, 2014)
Right now, both State and Federal Governments are considering whether to let this risky mining not only continue, but expand.
There’s already significant damage to the Woronora water catchment from longwall mining
The response of the US company responsible, Peabody, has so far been to apply polyurethane grouting and plan to expand mining operations
The Woronora Reservoir catchment is a ‘Special Area’ – the public faces fines of up to $44,000 for unauthorised entry. The irony that its us, the public, who aren't allowed into the area in case we cause damage or pollute the water, yet mining - no problem!
What’s at risk?
Subsidence from mining leads to cracks, draining creeks, and drying swamps
Cracks can allow contaminated water (with iron, aluminium, lithium, strontium, barium, titanium, nickel and more) to emerge
Serious, long-term consequences for water quality and local ecosystems
Expert concerns (IESC, Nov 2025):
Ground movements and subsidence will likely impact threatened swamps and ecosystems
Irreversible harm to flora and fauna, including endangered species
Groundwater drawdown
Permanent changes to creek flows, reducing water quality and aquatic habitats
Direct removal of 3.8 ha of pristine native forest
'Given the sensitivity of the protected swamps and the difficulty of reversing potential impacts, the IESC considers that the only effective way to minimise or mitigate potential impacts is to avoid longwall mining beneath all swamps and waterways in this near-pristine catchment of Woronora Reservoir. The proposed Adaptive Management Plan (AMP) cannot protect these significant water resources because impacts are likely to materialise too late to mitigate them.'
What can you do?
The NSW Department of Planning is overseeing the submission process for this proposal and will advise Federal Environment Minister Murray Watt: senator.watt@aph.gov.au
Email Minister Watt to express your concerns and urge him to protect our vital water catchment for future generations.
Remember, once the damage is done, it’s too late to turn back.
Link to The Independent Expert Scientific Committee on Unconventional Gas Development and Large Coal Mining Development (IESC) Report Nov 2025:
Prince Edward Park Car Park - Update on improvement works
Prince Edward Park Car Park - Update on improvement works
At the November meeting of the WRCA the deteriorating condition of this car park was raised. Council has now confirmed that resurfacing of the car park and new line markings will be undertaken in the 2026/27 financial year.
We shouldn't forget that this work was first outlined in the current Prince Edward Park Masterplan developed in 2012.
We will continue to follow this with interest and look forward to these works being completed.
Fantastic news! The Woronora River Hall is now open for use!
Fantastic news! The Woronora River Hall is now open for use!
Following a unanimous vote at Council on 15 September 2025 to retain the Hall for public use, the initial remediation work has now been completed.
The Hall has been set up on Council's booking system and can now be booked for use:
Link to book the Woronora River Hall
There are also longer term upgrade plans which will require a temporary closure at a future date, and Council will work closely with users at that time to minimise disruption.
A huge thank you to everyone who turned up, spoke out, signed the petition and contacted Council to let them know how important this Hall is to the community. And a big thank you to Council for listening.
A fantastic outcome for Woronora and Sutherland Shire.
Woronora River Dredging Update:
Woronora River Dredging Update:
You may recall that back in August 2025 it was announced that funding of $500K had been secured from the State Govt for dredging within the Woronora River, with an additional $200K contributed by Council.
The focus of attention was to be the heavily silted riverbed around the commuter wharf.
Further information has been sought on the scope and the timing of the dredging works and Council Officers have advised that:
A review of Environmental Factors (REF), including sediment sampling, is required prior to proceeding
Following completion of the REF, the project will be put to tender, with works likely to commence 2027, outside peak river usage periods
Dredging will focus on the area around Gweneth Thomas wharf, prioritising emergency user access
The final scope will be determined by the REF analysis
Here's a link to the Woronora River Dredging Management Plan 2024:
Whilst the document does contain lots of data, tables and diagrams which is great for the dredging nerds amongst us, it also includes a large amount of very interesting local historical information and is well worth a flick through for that alone.
March 2026: Council has now prioritised 4 areas of the Woronora River for dredging:
Gwyneth Thomas Wharf
Forbes Creek
Deepwater residential wharves
Locations x2 above the pedestrian bridge
It's perhaps fair to say that our precious Woronora River in recent years has not received the care and attention that it deserves. It's also worth remembering that whilst plans and studies may indeed look impressive, it's the subsequent actions that matter.
A win for the Community - Prices Circuit Reserve to remain a passive recreation area!
A win for the Community - Prices Circuit Reserve to remain a passive recreation area!
Following further recent community engagement, Council has now agreed that Prices Circuit Reserve is to remain a passive recreation area.
A huge thank you to everyone who helped in recent months to promote the need for this. Your ongoing engagement in contacting Council, completing surveys, attending awareness / information sessions and the Council meeting has resulted in the community's voice being heard loud and clear! And a big thank you to Council for listening.
Council will now prepare a design to extend the passive amenity of the reserve, proposing enhancements such as wider pathways and additional seating and picnic tables to align and complement the reserve's existing passive character. It's anticipated this design will be completed in May 2026.
. . . That Woronora has a notable street naming pattern?
. . . That Woronora has a notable street naming pattern?
Many of our streets have river or water related names.
On the East side of the river there's a collection of streets named after rivers in the UK and Ireland:
Tay Place The River Tay is the longest river in Scotland
Severn Road The River Severn is the longest river in Great Britain
Wye Close The River Wye is the 4th longest river in the UK
Mersey St The River Mersey is a UK major river from Liverpool to south of Manchester
Liffey Place The River Liffey is an Irish river that flows through the centre of Dublin
Thames St The River Thames is the longest river in England and flows through London
On the west side of the river there is a collection of streets which are named after Australian rural towns or waterways derived from Aboriginal language words. The Aboriginal language names often include a reference to rivers or water. These include: Manilla Place, Boomi Place Yanko Close and Nundah Place.
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