March – May 2025
- Coastal Management Program (CMP): Five councils, including Lane Cove Council, have expressed interest in participating, with the City of Parramatta confirmed as the Delivery Partner. A working group has been formed, a draft Memorandum of Understanding prepared, and a draft application will be circulated for feedback shortly.
- Healing Country Workshop: PRCG attended the workshop which was part of the Parramatta North Heritage Precinct redevelopment and included community leaders, including Aunties Ros Fogg and Cheryl Goh. Activities included a yarn on Country, planting, and a presentation on local archaeological work linked to Dharug heritage.
- First Nations Water Forum: PRCG participated in the forum hosted by Greater Sydney Local Land Services and Western Sydney University, highlighting the cultural and spiritual importance of water in Ngurra (Country). Speakers explored First Laws, Rights of Nature, governance, and women’s stories, culminating in a Declaration for Water Country.
- Durumbura Dhurabang Stakeholder Gathering: PRCG presented at the Macquarie University event, showcasing our governance model, Masterplan, and key catchment management achievements.
- Resilient Sydney Strategy Launch: PRCG joined City of Ryde and Sydney Water at the 29 April launch of the Resilient Sydney Strategy, which promotes collaboration, sustainability, and liveability through more green and blue spaces. Developed with input from over 30 councils, including all 10 PRCG members, the strategy features PRCG as a case study (p.48). City of Sydney – a resilient city – City of Sydney
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December 2024 – February 2025
- Coastal Management Program (CMP): Four councils have expressed interest in participating. A kick-off meeting for the Inner Harbour CMP working group is scheduled for 24 February.
- Rights of the River:
- PRCG staff attended the Hawkesbury-Nepean Regional Forum on 15 November, identifying shared interest in exploring Rights of the River/Living River status across the Hawkesbury-Nepean and Lane Cove catchments.
- Through Regen Melbourne, PRCG established a connection with the Birrarung Council in Melbourne.
- On 5 February, PRCG and Hawkesbury-Nepean River representatives joined a Birrarung Council meeting to exchange introductions and organisational overviews, agreeing to continue dialogue through targeted discussions.
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September – November 2024
- International Swimmable Cities Charter: As part of Riverfest, Matt Sykes (Regeneration Projects, Melbourne) joined Nerida Taylor (Sydney Water), Charity Mosienyane (Swimmable Birrarung), and Alexi Gilchrist (PRCG) for a webinar exploring the global movement to revive urban rivers for swimming.
- Sustainable Stormwater Funding – Stormwater NSW: In November, stormwater professionals met at Sydney Water to discuss funding challenges, regulatory drivers, and new catchment models. The group considered developing a business case for improved funding, amid different views on priorities and industry readiness. A related NSW Parliamentary report on local government funding followed.
- Economic benefits of swimming in natural waterways: Sydney Water engaged Frontier Economics in mid-2024 to assess the value of opening new swim sites using cost-benefit analysis. Results show strong economic, social, and environmental benefits, including increased recreation opportunities and reduced health costs. Findings will be shared with the PRCG once finalised.
- Coastal Management Program (CMP): Following the split of the Greater Sydney Harbour CMP into ‘inner’ and ‘outer’ harbour plans, PRCG has commenced development of a dedicated CMP for the Parramatta and Lane Cove River catchments. Four councils have expressed interest, with a target of five. A Project Working Group will be established in January 2025, and a lead agency will be nominated.
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June – August 2024
- Coastal Management Program (CMP): PRCG has begun developing a CMP for the Parramatta and Lane Cove River catchments. Three councils have expressed interest, with follow-ups underway to confirm broader participation. A project working group will be formed in August.
- International Swimmable Cities Charter: PRCG and Sydney Water joined global signatories at the online launch of the Swimmable Cities Charter. Sydney Water presented on the Urban Plunge initiative to promote swimmable urban sites. The Charter outlines 10 principles supporting the right to swim and urban waterway revitalisation. The first Swimmable Cities Summit will be held in Paris in 2025.
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March – May 2024
- Greater Sydney Harbour Coastal Management Program (GSH CMP): PRCG is consulting members on the proposed split by Sydney Coastal Councils Group of the GSH CMP into ‘inner’ and ‘outer’ harbour plans, impacting coastal and foreshore management. PRCG Executive will meet DCCEEW in March to discuss next steps.
- Designing with Country project: First Nations Peoples of the Parramatta River book launched as part of the Our Living River 10th anniversary community event.
- Coastal Adaptation Framework: Aims to guide foreshore councils in preparing local adaptation plans for future coastal inundation, complementing ongoing Coastal Management Programs. PRCG councils were invited to partner with SCCG for a Disaster Ready Fund grant, but the Expression of Interest was unsuccessful.
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December 2023 – February 2024
- Designing with Country: Completion of joint cultural interpretation project with City of Canada Bay as part of the Bayview Park upgrade. First Nations Peoples of the Parramatta River book published.
- Update of NHMRC Guidelines for Managing Risks in Recreational Water: Sydney Water was asked to provide two case studies that would inform the updated NHMRC (National Health and Medical Research Council) guidelines: 1. Human Health Risk Assessment process (chemicals); 2. RiverWatch predictive model in partnership with UNSW. Professor Stuart Khan, University of Sydney, sits on the NHMRC review committee.
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September – November 2023
- NSW Government Local Small Commitments Allocation: Cr Penny Pedersen (City of Ryde) was successful in nominating for $25,000 in funding towards citizen science projects for the Lane Cove electorate.
- Designing with Country: Progress of joint cultural interpretation project with City of Canada Bay as part of the Bayview Park upgrade. Further cultural advice sought for research paper on First Nations peoples of the Parramatta River.
- Greater Sydney Harbour Coastal Management Program: Due to the decision by the previous state government not to approve raising the funding cap for implementation, SCCG is actively exploring alternative approaches to address coastal inundation and waterway health within the CMP framework.
- Greater Sydney Water Quality and River Health Monitoring Governance Framework project: A project brief was issued and consultants invited to submit quotes. Working group members were invited to join the assessment panel to review submissions.
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June – August 2023
- NSW Government Masterplan grant: Funding received in June 2023. Planning for two grant projects 1. Stormwater Compliance & Education program and 2. Parramatta River Bank Naturalisation commenced in July 2023.
- Designing with Country: Progress of joint cultural interpretation project with City of Canada Bay as part of the Bayview Park upgrade.
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March – May 2023
- State Government Masterplan Funding Request: On 23 March, Shadow Minister for Water, Rose Jackson, announced Labor’s commitment, if elected, to provide $1.8 million over four years for stormwater compliance, education, and riverbank naturalisation, along with an additional $800,000 to support StreamWatch and Waterwatch programs. Following the election, a project scoping document was submitted to the Department of Planning and Environment for approval.
- Greater Sydney Water Quality and River Health Monitoring Governance Framework: PRCG is part of an advisory group supporting the implementation of Action 4.1b from the Greater Sydney Water Strategy, focused on scoping a governance framework for water quality and river health. The project aims to address fragmented governance and improve alignment with waterway objectives. It runs from February 2023 to June 2025.
- Greater Sydney Harbour Coastal Management Program: Following the former state government’s decision to reject the request to raise the cap on allocation of funding for project implementation, Sydney Coastal Councils Group is currently exploring different ways of addressing and funding coastal inundation and waterway health under the CMP umbrella.
- City of Canada Bay Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP): PRCG is contributing to working group meetings to progress the RAP.
- Designing with Country project: Cultural interpretive works are progressing as part of upgrades planned for the park. Project is expected to be completed by October 2023.
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December – February 2023
- State Government Masterplan Funding Request:
- PRCG submitted a Masterplan Funding Request to relevant state government ministers and shadow ministers prior to the next state government election.
- PRCG Chair and Coordinator met with several state government ministers and shadow ministers to discuss opportunities for funding.
- City of Canada Bay Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP): PRCG contributed to working group meetings to progress the RAP.
- Designing with Country project:
- Bayview Park pilot project: Identified in the Designing with Country framework, Bayview Park is the site of a joint cultural interpretation project. PRCG is partnering with City of Canada Bay and First Nations artists to deliver a new picnic shelter and custom seating as part of planned park upgrades.
- First Nations Peoples of the Parramatta River research paper: Formatted draft circulated to the Full Group for review and endorsement.
- River as a Living Entity: Planning for the Parramatta River as a Living Entity project will commence in 2023 with a letter of invitation to catchment Aboriginal organisations and an Expression of Interest to PRCG members to join a working group to further develop this project.
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September – November 2022
- Designing with Country project:
- Project completed and a soft copy of the document distributed to PRCG Full Group members.
- Final draft of the First Nations Peoples of the Parramatta River research paper sent for graphic design and will be circulated for final comment in the new year. PRCG engaged Dharug artist Leanne Watson Redpath to provide the graphic elements for the design.
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June – August 2022
- Designing with Country project:
- Second Walk on Country and Design Jam held for councils and community members in the upper Parramatta River catchment.
- Design framework is progressing steadily and is scheduled for completion at the end of August 2022. A first draft was circulated to the Designing with Country Working Group and feedback was provided to the consultant at beginning of August.
- City of Canada Bay Reconciliation Action Plan: The PRCG was invited to participate in Council’s Reconciliation Action Plan development and attended a Walk on Country at Cabarita Park with Uncle Jimmy Smith.
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March – May 2022
- Walk on Country and Design Jam: A second Walk on Country and Design Jam was held for councils and community members in the upper Parramatta River catchment. Aboriginal History Research: A draft report on the Aboriginal history and culture of the Parramatta River catchment was shared for review.
- Reconciliation Week Participation: PRCG attended a Reconciliation Week event at Sydney Olympic Park.
- River Conversations – Biennale 2024: PRCG took part in River Conversations events during the Biennale, joining artists, First Nations representatives, and groups like the Birrarung Council to explore rivers as living entities.
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September 2021 – February 2022
- Parramatta River Reference Group: The Reference Group met for the final time in December 2021 and March 2022.
- Conference Presentation: PRCG and Delivery Engine members presented at the franc.sydney Conference in March 2022.
- Walk on Country and Design Jam: The first Walk on Country and Design Jam was held for councils and community members in the lower Parramatta River catchment.
- Aboriginal History Research: A draft report on the Aboriginal history and culture of the Parramatta River catchment was completed.
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June – August 2021
- Parramatta River Reference Group: The group met in September, focusing on the pilot of the Blue Green Index Tools in Camellia.
- Conference Submission: A paper was submitted to OzWater’22 highlighting the importance of recreation in urban waterways during COVID.
- Designing with Country Project: Consultancy group Yerrabingin has been engaged to develop an Aboriginal Design Framework to guide future interpretive design projects across the catchment.
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March – May 2021
- Parramatta River Reference Group Meeting: The group met on 20 April, focusing on engagement with the development industry.
- Designing with Country Project: The Metro Greenspace grant application has been successful. Work has begun on the First Nations research document and the Request for Quotation to engage an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander design consultant to advise on the project and develop the Aboriginal Design Framework.
- NSW EPA Litter Prevention Grant: The grant application was successful, and a project officer has been appointed.
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December 2020 – February 2021
- The Parramatta River Reference Group met on 15 December, to discuss the Masterplan.
- The Metro Greenspace Aboriginal engagement grant Designing with Country was submitted and we are waiting to be notified of its approval.
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September – November 2020
- Followed up on Transport for NSW letter of invitation to join PRCG, which they are progressing with their executive.
- Three groups of Masters students from Macquarie University were mentored by Paul Hackney, Nell Graham and Nerida Taylor.
- The Metro Greenspace Aboriginal engagement grant was submitted and waiting to be notified of its approval.
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June – August 2020
- Presented to the Parramatta Aboriginal Advisory Committee
- An application to the Metro Greenspace grant program is being drafted to develop a whole of catchment approach to Aboriginal engagement, storytelling and design, with locally identified outputs.
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March – May 2020
- Transport for NSW sent a letter of invitation to join PRCG.
- Requests made to present at Inner West, Cumberland & Parramatta Aboriginal Advisory Committees.
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December 2019 – February 2020
- Two tours of current and planned swim sites on Parramatta River held by Sydney Water for key government agencies.
- Continued development of funding prospectus and costings for actions in the Masterplan.
- Attended Murama Healing Space community event on 14 March 2020.
- Met with and developed membership proposal for Transport for NSW.
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September – November 2019
- Commenced development of funding prospectus and costings for actions in the Masterplan.
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June – August 2019
- New PRCG Coordinator appointed.
- Discussions held with DPIE regarding progressing ‘Ochre Grid’ project for Parramatta River.
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March – May 2019
- Sydney Water committed funding to support implementation of the Masterplan over the next two years.
- Riverwatch Coordinator and Strategic Stormwater Planner recruited to support Masterplan implementation.
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