Hawkesbury-Nepean River clean-up program
The EPA is coordinating a clean-up program to remove and manage large hazardous debris generated by flooding in April 2024 within the Hawkesbury-Nepean River.
The Program is tasked with removing flood debris greater than 1 cubic metre and that poses a risk to the environment, navigation or human health. This Program will remove/manage eligible natural and/or man-made debris within the Hawkesbury-Nepean River in the disaster-declared local government areas identified in AGRN 1119 (Natural disaster declaration areas).
Eligible debris
Removal and management of natural and/or man-made debris applies to debris that is:
- larger than 1 cubic metre (>1m3) or hazardous; and
- poses a risk to the environment or navigation or human health; and
- was generated by the April 2024 floods; and
- is within reach of clean-up vessels on the water up to mean-high watermark; and
- is within the Hawkesbury-Nepean Catchment.
Aerial surveillance and water-based surveys are being used to identify flood-generated debris which pose a risk. The flood debris can include hay bales, metal, vehicles, furniture, gas cylinders and building materials.
AVCON, a specialist maritime contractor, has been appointed by the EPA to undertake this water-based operation and has commenced surveying the river to identify debris. You may notice their specialised vessels on the water as part of this operation.
The clean-up is expected to take several months. Priority for removal is being given to debris that poses a risk to the community and the environment.
This program follows previous flood clean-up works undertaken by the EPA in the same river system after East Coast flood events in 2021 and 2022. These programs removed over 10,000 cubic meters of debris from the river’s shoreline and underwater.
How will the program work?
Flood debris will be removed using vessels, including specialised equipment, and hand-picking. In some instances, debris may be taken to a fenced staging area to temporarily and safely store debris that is collected before it is taken for recycling or disposal. Debris collected will be sorted by type to facilitate recycling or reuse to divert as much as possible from landfill.
Safety is the priority of the clean-up, for both clean-up contractors and the community. The EPA will be supervising this operation.
Further information
The Hawkesbury River Clean Up (the Program) is being funded from the NSW Disaster Relief funding Account and has been developed in partnership with the NSW Reconstruction Authority.
For further information please contact [email protected].