Sutherland Shire’s iconic waterways and coastlines include the surfing beaches of Bate Bay at Cronulla, the internationally recognised Towra Point wetland in Botany Bay, the protected bays of Port Hacking and numerous freshwater creeks and wetlands.

Our waterways are highly valued for their biodiversity, scenery and recreation. The health of our waterways is connected to the health of the catchment, the area of land on which rain falls and flows as stormwater runoff to a waterway.

Aerial photo of sutherland shire, overlooking Ewey Creek Ewey creek catchment
Aerial photo of Gwawley bay catchment Gwawley Bay catchment
Aerial photo of Towra point Towra Point catchment

The map shows catchments for the main waterways in Sutherland Shire.

Many catchments were once completely forested. Some of these have been cleared since European settlement, which has altered the natural water cycle.

Impacts by development (that does not account for natural environmental processes) can include:

  • water pollution
  • flooding
  • erosion
  • sedimentation
  • weed infestation.

Council is taking an Integrated Urban Water Management (IUWM) approach to address these issues and protect our waterways. The IUWM incorporates linked approaches to stormwater management, waterway management, floodplain risk management and coastal management.

This is an ongoing process and includes community consultation.

The Australian Government's House of Representatives Standing Committee on Economics commenced an inquiry into insurers’ responses to 2022 major floods claims, including for the Hunter and greater Sydney floods of July 2022.

There is currently no closing date for individuals and the community to complete the survey and make a submission. For all information visit Inquiry into insurers’ responses to 2022 major floods claims – Parliament of Australia (aph.gov.au)