Draft Catchment and Waterways Strategy

Sutherland Shire’s catchments, waterways and coastal areas are an important part of everyday life. They support local wildlife, provide places to swim, walk and relax, help manage stormwater and flooding, and shape the character of our communities. Looking after them requires careful planning, ongoing investment and clear decisions about where to focus effort.

Council has prepared the draft Catchment and Waterways Strategy (2026-2035). The strategy sets out how we will manage and protect Sutherland Shire’s catchments, waterways and coastal areas over the next ten years.

It identifies clear priorities and practical actions to respond to environmental, social and economic challenges and outlines where Council will focus its effort and investment to improve long-term outcomes.

The Strategy is built around three principles:

Collaborate
Protect
Preserve

It includes measurable targets and sets out four key focus areas.

Stormwater
Management

We aim to implement sustainable stormwater management practices to mitigate nuisance overland flow and increase community safety.
Flood Risk
Management

We aim to develop innovative, risk-based flood mitigation strategies to enhance community resilience and understanding of flood risks.
Waterways
Management

We aim to safeguard and enrich our natural waterways while educating the community and future generations on their importance.
Coastal
Management

We aim to protect and enhance our coastal environments through community engagement, scientific research, and strategic management practices.


A key part of the Strategy is the Implementation Plan. This sets out the actions to be delivered, when they are expected to occur and who is responsible. It provides a clear pathway to achieving the Strategy’s targets.

We have also prepared a two-page snapshot that provides a high-level summary of the Strategy including our proposed targets, key projects and actions. If you would like more detail, we invite you to read the full Strategy.

📢 Have your say

Previous community consultation has helped shape the draft Strategy. We have heard what people value about local waterways, along with key concerns and aspirations for the future.

We are now seeking feedback on the draft Strategy. Review what is proposed and provide your feedback by Wednesday 1 April 2026.

🖥️ Online via the survey below

📍 In person at one of our information sessions

📧 Email stormwaterandwaterways@ssc.nsw.gov.au

✍ In writing to ‘Waterways Team, Locked Bag 17, Sutherland NSW 1499’

Community Information (drop-in) sessions

You’re invited to attend one of our information drop-in sessions to ask questions and speak directly with the project team. There’s no formal presentation and you are welcome to drop in whenever it suits during the times shown below.

Sessions to be held:

  • Wednesday 11 March 2026, 5pm – 7pm at Sutherland Multipurpose Centre, 123 Flora St, Sutherland.
  • Tuesday 17 March 2026, 5pm – 7pm at Menai Community Centre, 34 Allison Cres, Menai.
  • Thursday 19 March 2026, 5pm – 7pm at Miranda Community Centre, 97 Karimbla Rd, Miranda.
  • Tuesday 24 March 2026, 5pm – 7pm at Cronulla Central, 38-60 Croydon St, Cronulla.
  • Thursday 26 March 2026, 5pm – 7pm at Engadine Community Centre, 1034-1036 Old Princes Highway, Engadine.

Registration is not required, but letting us know if you are attending will help us plan for the sessions. Click here to register.

Next steps

All feedback received during this consultation will be reviewed and considered before the final Strategy is presented to Council for adoption in mid-2026.

Sutherland Shire’s catchments, waterways and coastal areas are an important part of everyday life. They support local wildlife, provide places to swim, walk and relax, help manage stormwater and flooding, and shape the character of our communities. Looking after them requires careful planning, ongoing investment and clear decisions about where to focus effort.

Council has prepared the draft Catchment and Waterways Strategy (2026-2035). The strategy sets out how we will manage and protect Sutherland Shire’s catchments, waterways and coastal areas over the next ten years.

It identifies clear priorities and practical actions to respond to environmental, social and economic challenges and outlines where Council will focus its effort and investment to improve long-term outcomes.

The Strategy is built around three principles:

Collaborate
Protect
Preserve

It includes measurable targets and sets out four key focus areas.

Stormwater
Management

We aim to implement sustainable stormwater management practices to mitigate nuisance overland flow and increase community safety.
Flood Risk
Management

We aim to develop innovative, risk-based flood mitigation strategies to enhance community resilience and understanding of flood risks.
Waterways
Management

We aim to safeguard and enrich our natural waterways while educating the community and future generations on their importance.
Coastal
Management

We aim to protect and enhance our coastal environments through community engagement, scientific research, and strategic management practices.


A key part of the Strategy is the Implementation Plan. This sets out the actions to be delivered, when they are expected to occur and who is responsible. It provides a clear pathway to achieving the Strategy’s targets.

We have also prepared a two-page snapshot that provides a high-level summary of the Strategy including our proposed targets, key projects and actions. If you would like more detail, we invite you to read the full Strategy.

📢 Have your say

Previous community consultation has helped shape the draft Strategy. We have heard what people value about local waterways, along with key concerns and aspirations for the future.

We are now seeking feedback on the draft Strategy. Review what is proposed and provide your feedback by Wednesday 1 April 2026.

🖥️ Online via the survey below

📍 In person at one of our information sessions

📧 Email stormwaterandwaterways@ssc.nsw.gov.au

✍ In writing to ‘Waterways Team, Locked Bag 17, Sutherland NSW 1499’

Community Information (drop-in) sessions

You’re invited to attend one of our information drop-in sessions to ask questions and speak directly with the project team. There’s no formal presentation and you are welcome to drop in whenever it suits during the times shown below.

Sessions to be held:

  • Wednesday 11 March 2026, 5pm – 7pm at Sutherland Multipurpose Centre, 123 Flora St, Sutherland.
  • Tuesday 17 March 2026, 5pm – 7pm at Menai Community Centre, 34 Allison Cres, Menai.
  • Thursday 19 March 2026, 5pm – 7pm at Miranda Community Centre, 97 Karimbla Rd, Miranda.
  • Tuesday 24 March 2026, 5pm – 7pm at Cronulla Central, 38-60 Croydon St, Cronulla.
  • Thursday 26 March 2026, 5pm – 7pm at Engadine Community Centre, 1034-1036 Old Princes Highway, Engadine.

Registration is not required, but letting us know if you are attending will help us plan for the sessions. Click here to register.

Next steps

All feedback received during this consultation will be reviewed and considered before the final Strategy is presented to Council for adoption in mid-2026.

Page last updated: 12 Mar 2026, 03:15 PM