NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA) Director Arminda Ryan said since March this year over 5000 cubic metres of flood debris had been removed from the Hawkesbury River and Central Coast waterways –enough to fill 250 eight-tonne trucks or almost two Olympic swimming pools. More than 7200 cubic metres has now been removed from waterways across the state.
“It’s a mammoth effort that has seen the Hawkesbury and Central Coast waterways and beaches being cleared of the enormous amount of flood debris to make these waterways safer for local communities again,” Ms Ryan said.
“We will continue to use every resource available to us, with debris being collected from rivers, creeks and beaches using boats, cranes, barges, land vehicles and hand picking.”
Ms Ryan said the clean-up was able to move quickly to clear waterways as EPA contractors had already been working in the Hawkesbury as part of its shoreline maintenance project from the 2021 floods. The response was made even swifter with the help of local communities.
“The clean-up included a significant amount of planning and resources including aerial surveillance. But equally, on the ground intelligence from the public to locate debris and waste really helped the clean-up effort.”
Ms Ryan said the extreme weather to start the year had been a testing experience for local communities but it lifted residents’ spirit to see this recovery work making headway.
“The benefits are clear to see, our waterways are now safer, not only for local communities and boat operators but also local wildlife.”
Ms Ryan praised the community for their patience and ongoing support during the clean-up and looked forward to seeing further clean-up progress in the coming months.
Communities affected by the February and March 2021 storms and floods will continue to receive support for their long-term recovery journey thanks to the staged rollout of eight programs from the NSW Storm and Flood Recovery Package, jointly funded by the Australian and NSW Governments.
Members of the community can report flood debris in local rivers and beaches to the Environment Line on 131 555 or info@epa.nsw.gov.au or flood.programs@epa.nsw.gov.au
