The Hawkesbury Region in NSW has a rich and continuing Aboriginal heritage, with cultural history extending more than 40,000 years.  As the area and contributing catchment is relatively large, there are several local Aboriginal groups that have historically inhabited the Hawkesbury Region and thousands of indigenous heritage sites located across the region.

Water Technology was engaged by the NSW Government to help develop a Cultural Restoration Strategy for the Hawkesbury River Estuary to:

• Guide the management of Aboriginal cultural landscapes in the area
• Build resilience into the estuarine system and the capacity of Aboriginal peoples to manage cultural sites and Care for Country
• Help improve cultural assets damaged in the severe flooding in 2021/2022

The Cultural Restoration Strategy links with the indigenous management actions in the Coastal Management Program. The strategy was developed in liaison with a sample of the First Nations Groups across the estuary.

The Cultural Restoration Strategy has enabled NSW Government funding to be provided for significant on-ground actions led by First Nations Groups including:    

• Rehabilitation of foreshores at 4 locations 
• Cultural mapping to identify cultural sites 
• Clean up around known cultural sites 
• Clean up of river frontage at 4 locations 
• Due diligence assessment for works to protect cultural sites 
• Events to strengthen culture and community bonds. 

All projects included the employment of Aboriginal sea rangers and bush regeneration crews. The Cultural Restoration Strategy will also guide future funding for similar projects in the Hawkesbury River estuary.

“…. Our Elders have been very excited with the outcome of the clean up and also it has allowed our mob to be on Country, improving not only the health of Country but also the health and well-being of our People. Healthy Country means healthy People….” – Aunty Tracey