The University of Western Sydney, TAFE Western Sydney Institute and the Hawkesbury Environmental Network (HEN) have signed an agreement to contribute to protecting and maintaining the health and vitality of the Hawkesbury-Nepean River.

 

The agreement will see HEN provide independent and scientifically informed monitoring of the river’s health while assisting with community-based responses and remediation.

 

Continued pressure from a range of impacts, including mining, agriculture and urban development, are the key areas of concern for the group.

 

Professor Michael Jeffery, QC an environmental law specialist from the UWS School of Law, says it is imperative to protect the Hawkesbury-Nepean River as it provides water for the 4.13 million people living in Sydney and is a key driver of the region's natural ecosystem.

 

"In almost every part of the world, water resources are declining in quality and quantity and the need to protect our waterways has become clear," says Professor Jeffery.

 

"This unique partnership will bring a greater level of scientific rigour which will better inform local environmental groups of key threats and strategies and actions to improve the local environment as well as providing an educational sustainability platform for students and staff in the form of a living laboratory."