The Member for Heathcote, Maryanne Stuart, has welcomed the release of the long-awaited Woronora Dredging Management Plan from Sutherland Shire Council; however, is disappointed by Sutherland Shire Council’s inaction on flood mitigation in the Woronora River.

The Woronora River community has been subjected to successive flooding events in the past two years. These flooding events have left the community reeling having faced significant property damage and emotional distress.

Sutherland Shire Council have been the recipients of significant State Government investment, with a poor track record of being transparent on project costings and timelines for the use of these State Government funds.

In 2023, they were awarded a $52,000 Rescuing our Waterways (ROW) Grant to fund the Woronora Dredging Management Pan.

In February of this year, they were awarded $180,000 from the State Government’s Floodplain Management Program for preparation of the Woronora River Flood Study. The last Woronora River study was last conducted in 1991. Councils are required to undertake flood studies every five years, a requirement outlined in the Flood Risk Management Manual which hasn’t changed since 2005.

Sutherland Shire Council had the opportunity to access NSW Boating Access Dredging Program funding, however, did not submit applications for funding in time during stage 4 of the Program.

Ms. Stuart has previously corresponded with Sutherland Shire Council on other projects that have received State Government funding. Ms Stuart made numerous requests to Sutherland Shire Council requesting how they will spend the $165,660 made available through the NSW Government’s Local Small Commitments Allocation Program. After 9 months of correspondence, Sutherland Shire Council advised this money would be spent on the installation of shade structures in local and district playgrounds.

Further to this, in June 2024, Sutherland Shire Council, under the NSW Koala Strategy, received $300,000 to undertake koala and koala habitat surveys to develop a koala habitat map. No announcement has been made from Sutherland Shire Council on this investment.

The NSW Government is committed to supporting the community, including those impacted by flooding. On the 2 August announced a $44 million funding boost as part of the Boating Infrastructure and Dredging Scheme, aimed at safety and accessibility for all water users. As part of this, $16 million has been committed for dredging at key locations along the NSW coast.

Registrations of interest for the grant’s programs will be open later this year, with successful applicants to be announced in 2025.

The Mayor of Sutherland Shire Council wrote to Ms Stuart on the 25 June requesting support for $300,000 for the dredging of Gweneth Thomas Wharf. Further to this, another $1.6 million was requested for the holistic dredge of the full Woronora River. This request was not accompanied with a copy of the Woronora Dredging Management Plan, and requests from Ms Stuart to provide a copy of this were not met.

Quotes attributable to Maryanne Stuart MP, Member for Heathcote

“Sutherland Shire Council has failed the residents of Woronora River, taking over three decades to conduct a flood study on the Woronora River, despite their requirement to undertake studies every five years.”

“I am disappointed that this draft plan was released after a request from the Mayor of Sutherland Shire Council for $1.9 million for the dredging of Woronora River. Essentially asking for support in signing a blank cheque, without being able to review recommendations in the report.”

“It has been frustrating receiving minimal information from Sutherland Shire Council on timelines and costings for projects that have received State Government funding. I look forward to working with a new Council following the 14 September Local Government elections; I would encourage the new Councillors to be transparent with the community on how they are spending ratepayer and state taxpayer funding.”