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1970's
The potential for serious flooding in the upper Parramatta
River catchment was recognised in the early 1970s when a major flood
mitigation study was carried out. The study report recommended that
a system of flood retarding basins be built and a catchment flood
mitigation authority be established. The report also warned of the
likely growth in flooding arising from further developments in the
catchment.
1980's
The proposal to set up a flood mitigation authority
failed to attract unanimous support at the time. It was decided
instead to rely on co-operation between the four Councils and State
Government support. A further study, completed in 1980, refined
the earlier proposals.
Progress on construction of the recommended flood
retarding basins was slow. By 1986 only three had been built, while
extensive subdivision and development was continuing in the catchment,
exacerbating the flooding problem. In the late 1980s the catchment
experienced a series of storms and major floods, and many properties
which had never been flooded before were inundated
repeatedly.
Following representations from Councils in the catchment,
and comments received on a discussion paper on the desirability
of setting up an organisation to address the serious flooding, the
Government decided to establish the Upper Parramatta River Catchment
Trust.
The Trust was constituted by proclamation on 5 April
1989, in pursuance of Section 6(1) of the Water Supply Authorities
Act, 1987, and comes within the administration of the Minister for
Land and Water Conservation. The Trust had an initial term of 10
years with a review to occur after 5 years.
The Upper Parramatta River Catchment includes parts
of the cities of Blacktown, Holroyd and Parramatta, and the Shire
of Baulkham Hills. It covers 110 square kilometres, is located near
the centre of the Sydney metropolitan area and has a population
of more than 220,000. It is bounded by Prospect Reservoir to the
south west, Blacktown to the north west, Castle Hill to the north
and Carlingford to the east.
The Trust's principal source of income is a river
management service charge levied on all rateable properties in the
catchment, and collected once each year by Sydney Water, on behalf
of the Trust.
1990's
In 1995 the Trust was reviewed by Professor John Burton
and it was found that the Trust had made good progress towards meeting
the objectives set in 1989. It recommended that the Trust should
continue for a further 4 years and then be reviewed again.
In 1999 the Trust was reviewed by Mr Michael Mobbs,
a consulting environmental lawyer. A number of recommendations concerning
the future of the Trust were made. These recommendations were to
be considered by the Trust and report back to the Minister.
2000 and beyond
In June 2000 the Trust board was appointed for a two
year term until June 2002. No Trust was appointed between November
1999 and June 2000. The Trust reviewed Michael Mobbs report and
prepared an options paper. The options paper listed all feasible
options for the Trust's future and the matters that should be considered
when evaluating those options.
The options suggested include:
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closing down the Trust,
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reducing the Trust to a maintenance-only role,
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corporatisation,
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being taken over by another government agency
(such as Sydney Water),
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continuing as is,
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or taking on a water quality and conservation
role.
Consultations were held with officials from the four
local councils in the catchment, relevant government agencies and
several community groups. This report was considered by the Hon
Richard Amery who is the State Minister responsible for the Trust.
After considering the Trust's detailed response to
a review of the Trust in 1999, the Trust's Minister, the Hon Richard
Amery MP approved the Trust continuing, but with increasing focus
on water quality and sustainable water practices.
In early 2002 a further review was conducted to assess
progress on these new initiatives and the Trust's future beyond
mid-2002. The then Minister Hon Richard Amery MP extended the term
of the Trust until September 2003 in line with council elections.
The extend term allowed the Minister to consider the Sydney Harbour
Catchment Management Board's Blueprint.
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