Winners have been announced for the Our Hawkesbury River photo competition – a collaboration between 6 local councils and the NSW Government.
Hornsby resident Daniel B. took out the top honour with his winning shot titled Blue Bobbin Bioluminescence.
The competition began on World Rivers Day in September to coincide with the release of stage 2 of the Hawkesbury-Nepean Coastal Management Program (CMP).
The 6-council collaboration – led by Hornsby Shire Council – includes Hawkesbury, Central Coast, Ku-ring-gai, Northern Beaches and Hills Shire Councils.
Minister for Local Government Shelley Hancock said teamwork between the 6 councils and the NSW Government saw hundreds of stunning photos pour in with talent and skill demonstrated in spades.
“Congratulations to Daniel for his winning shot at Bobbin Head, which received 102 votes in the second round of voting,” Mrs Hancock said.
“The competition was steep, reflecting the calibre of photographers in the area, and I commend the six councils for successfully engaging with the community right along the Hawkesbury River.”
Parliamentary Secretary for the Environment Felicity Wilson congratulated all involved.
“This fantastic display of local love for the waterways highlights the importance of CMPs, which are key to protecting the river system’s health and a vital part of this is collaboration and community engagement,” Ms Wilson said.
Hornsby Shire Council’s General Manager Steven Head said the competition’s photos were so exceptional, they are looking to showcase them in a range of ways starting with a 2022 calendar.
“It was extremely tough judging this competition, and while there were only 3 winners, 14 finalist photos will be featured in the calendar to thank entrants for participating,” Mr Head said.
“People snapped their favourite spots and moments right across the Hawkesbury-Nepean River area, with Hawkesbury resident Brooke G. winning second place with 98 votes for A super crisp morning on the Hawkesbury River at Windsor Beach.
“Paul B. won third place with a photo of North Richmond Pier, called The eerie stillness of the Hawkesbury River on a foggy morning.”
Each of the 3 winners receives a NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service annual All Parks Pass.
“Wildlife in Berowra Creek tributary was a finalist, as was a stunning shot of a sea eagle against a backdrop of variegated Hawkesbury sandstone near Brooklyn,” Mr Head said.
“This is a starting point for councils to find out what the community values most about the Hawkesbury River, and what needs protection now and into the future.”
The great waterway stretches 450 kilometres from its source in Goulburn, before wrapping all around Sydney down through Wollondilly, Penrith and Windsor, gathering water runoff from 24 council areas before finally flowing past Pittwater, Brisbane Water and out past Palm Beach.
The Hawkesbury-Nepean CMP is being developed with funding from the councils and the NSW Government, including $371,662 in grants from the NSW Government’s Coastal and Estuary Grants Program to date.
Once finalised, the calendar will be available for viewing and download at hawkesburynepeancmp.org. Subscribe for updates at Hawkesbury Nepean Coastal Management Program.
