First ever meeting to coordinate healing efforts for iconic Hunter River Estuary

The Hunter Estuary Alliance has met for the first time for an inspection of the Hunter River Estuary from Newcastle to Morpeth to understand the good, bad and potential of the tidal part of the river.

Championed by Maitland City Council on behalf of five Hunter coastal councils, this meeting marks the beginning of the Hunter Estuary Alliance, which comes together with a mission to coordinate and focus efforts across the region to help heal the Hunter River Estuary for the social, cultural and economic wellbeing of the community both now, and into the future.

The iconic Hunter River passes through many towns and is a community focal point for aesthetics, recreation and connection to country. The river is immensely important for the local environment and our First Nations communities.

It is also a system under stress. Despite the prominence of the Hunter Estuary, its health is rated as fair to poor, with the most recent report card ranking water quality in the estuary as 124 out of 160 in NSW.

Yesterday’s meeting brings together key groups and agencies like Maitland, Newcastle, Port Stephens, Dungog and Cessnock councils, Local Aboriginal Land Councils, Hunter Water, Hunter Local Land Services, Department of Planning and Environment, Hunter Valley Flood Mitigation Scheme and the Greater Cities Commission.

For Catherine Pepper, Maitland City Council's Manager Environment & Sustainability, now is the time for key stakeholders to come together and address the issues and stressors affecting the health and vitality of the estuary.

'This is an exciting time for the whole of the Lower Hunter to be involved in managing the Hunter Estuary.'

'We have a unique opportunity to make a change to our river and bring it back to health, to listen to each other and drive collaboration on major improvement projects.'

The next steps for the group will be to develop the Hunter Estuary Coastal Management Program, guiding their work to help heal the Hunter River Estuary.

Local Aboriginal Land Councils will be worked with closely and engaged in the development of the Hunter Estuary Coastal Management Program.

Healthy estuaries are important for economic, social, physical and psychological wellbeing through ecosystem services such as regulating nutrients and filtering pollution, providing habitat for plants and animals, stabilising shorelines and providing sites for economic activity, recreation and other cultural activities.

These estuaries are sensitive to such risks as floods, pollution, and rising sea levels.

To find out more about the Hunter Estuary Coastal Management Program, visit the webpage.

The Hunter Estuary Coastal Management Program is proudly funded by the NSW Government in association with Maitland City Council, City of Newcastle, Dungog Shire Council, Port Stephens Council, Cessnock City Council and Hunter Local Land Services as part of the Coastal and Estuary Grant Program.