Vegetation management work gets underway at Nepean River

Tuesday, 18 August 2020

Penrith City Council is conducting important vegetation management work along the riverbank on River Road, Emu Plains starting this month.

This vegetation management work is part of a three-year project which is being funded by the Australian Government under the Environment Restoration Fund.

The $150,000 ‘Keeping the Hawkesbury and Nepean Rivers Healthy’ project will see a schedule of work rollout over the next three years to rejuvenate and enhance the riverbank along River Road, Emu Plains.

The immediate vegetation management work includes: 

• Removing and controlling exotic weeds, trees, and vines
• Planting appropriate native species (groundcover) to help stabilise the bank
• Creating a mown edge alongside the upper footpath to provide a safe and tidy streetscape for pedestrians and residents and discourage snake habitat

Penrith Mayor Ross Fowler OAM said keeping the river healthy is a key action in Council’s Our River Masterplan (2013) which was developed in consultation with the local community.

“During consultation for the Our River Masterplan the community told us that management of vegetation along the river corridor needed special attention. Thanks to this grant funding from the Australia Government, we are now able to address some of the issues they identified,” Cr Fowler said.

“Over the next few weeks Council’s bushland management team will be working along the riverbank on River Road to improve the health and biodiversity of the river, maintain bank stability, and improve safety and enhance views of the river for pedestrians and residents.”

“This project is part of Council’s ongoing program of work to revitalise the Nepean River and combined with the upcoming Regatta Park and Tench Reserve upgrades, will strengthen Penrith’s position as Western Sydney’s most liveable city,” Cr Fowler said.

If you would like to learn more about Council’s Our River Masterplan or Council’s Vegetation Management Plan head to Council’s website penrith.city/nepeanriver.

If you have any questions about the upcoming work please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Information contained within this news release was correct as at Tuesday, 18 August 2020.