There are many native and naturally occurring aquatic plants that appear in Camden’s waterways. The growth of these plants is part of a natural cycle in our waterways and occurs in response to available sunlight, slow moving waters and abundant nutrients.

Whilst it can look untidy, these native plants are an important food source for waterbirds and provide habitat for essential water bugs.

They are also great at removing nutrients from waterways and reduce the likelihood of harmful blue-green algae blooms.

Floating aquatic plants will naturally leave the waterway when conditions change. This could be at the change of seasons, when they have used the available nutrients, or when there is a rainfall event that acts to flush the waterway. You can help control the growth of aquatic plants by preventing nutrients from washing into our waterways and taking the Be the Solution to Stormwater Pollution pledge.

If you suspect your local waterway is experiencing a blue-green algae bloom, check the Water Quality Map for the latest alerts. For information on other aquatic plants, check out your local Waterway Walk.

Some examples of floating aquatic plants in the Camden area are shown here:

Did you know that water that runs off our driveways, roads, roofs, car parks, footpaths and gardens travels via our stormwater system to our local creeks and waterways? Usually this water isn’t treated so it’s important that it is kept as clean as possible.

By working together and pledging to make small changes in our everyday lives, we can improve the quality of water that ends up in our beautiful waterways. You can show your support and pledge to make a difference by taking the Be the Solution to Stormwater Pollution pledge.

Carp, including colourful koi carp, are a large invasive freshwater fish that have been introduced to south-eastern Australian waterways and are known for degrading our natural aquatic environment. Carp also outcompete native fish, reducing their numbers.

To keep our waterways free of carp, remember to never release carp into waterways or feed them. If you catch a carp while fishing, you should humanely kill the animal and appropriately dispose of it, rather than returning it to the water. For more information, please refer to the Carp in Camden’s waterways information card or the NSW Department of Primary Industries website.

While it might be fun to feed the wildlife at your local reserve or waterway, it can be very damaging to the animals’ health and create issues of malnutrition, poor water quality, behavioural problems and attract pests. Wildlife should be admired and respected from a distance. For more information, please refer to the Feeding the ducks does more harm than good information card.

Erosion and sediment controls are essential measures that prevent sediment and debris from entering streets, drains and our local waterways. By containing soil and managing waste and other materials on your building site, you can:

• Help keep our local waterways clean and healthy;
• Reduce site issues caused by wet weather; and
• Save on costs for replacing stockpiles that have been washed or blown away.

For more information, please refer to the Erosion and sediment control information card or the NSW Department of Planning and Environment website.

Fishing is a popular form of recreation in our waterways. It is important to consider your impact on our waterways when fishing, and the potential impact of water quality on your health.

Before fishing in our waterways, please consider:

• Blue-green algae alerts

Council undertakes routine blue-green algae monitoring at a number of local waterbodies, including the Nepean River. Blue-green algae can produce toxins that may be damaging to humans and domestic animals. Blooms tend to be more common in the warmer months due to high levels of sunlight, low rainfall and high nutrients in waterways. The community is advised to avoid fishing and interacting with our waterways when conditions are at an amber or red alert for blue-green algae.

To find out more and view current blue-green algae alerts, please visit Council’s Water Quality Monitoring webpage.

• Holding a valid Recreational Fishing Licence

When fishing in NSW waters, both freshwater and saltwater, you are required by law to pay the NSW Recreational Fishing Fee and carry a receipt showing the payment of the fee. Payment of the Recreational Fishing Fee can be made online at Service NSW.

• Any freshwater bag and size limits

Bag limits, size limits and gear restrictions apply with fishing. You should familiarise yourself with these rules before fishing. Information is available from your local fisheries office, many bait and tackle stores, or NSW Department of Primary Industries. 

For freshwater bag and size limits, visit the Department of Primary Industries website.

Please note, some fishing gear is prohibited for use in inland waters, including closed-top yabby traps. For the full list of permitted and prohibited freshwater fishing methods, visit the Department of Primary Industries website.

• Minimising your impact on our waterways

Ensure that no fishing tackle, fishing line and litter is left behind. Fishing line can be a hazard to aquatic and land-based animals and birds, causing entanglements which can cause serious harm and even death. Keeping our waterways litter free, means better fish and waterway health and better recreational fishing.

• Humanely dispatching European Carp

Carp, including colourful koi carp, are a large invasive freshwater fish that have been introduced to south-eastern Australian waterways and are known for degrading our natural aquatic environment. Carp also outcompete native fish, reducing their numbers.

If you catch a carp while fishing, you should humanely kill the animal and appropriately dispose of it, rather than returning it to the water. For more information, please refer to the Carp in Camden’s waterways information card or the NSW Department of Primary Industries website.

Camden Council is committed to improving the water quality of the Nepean River and investigating ways to support safe and responsible recreation with the river.

Please visit the Waterway Projects webpage to view the list of upcoming and completed projects improving the health of our waterways.

Here are some of the ways Council supports fish health and the fishing community:

• Hook, Line & Measure

Camden Council developed the citizen science project, Hook, Line & Measure, where the community can record their fishing activity or observation. Hook, Line & Measure encourages the community to identify and record the species, size and distribution of fish caught and observed in the Nepean River and other local waterways in the Camden area.

This project helps the community to identify areas for recreational fishing activities and assists Council in collecting baseline data to better understand our waterways and inform the delivery of future waterway projects.

• Creating and retaining fish habitat

To support Camden residents’ desire to fish on the Nepean River, Camden Council installed fish habitat structures and erosion control measures to promote the increase in population and passage of Australian Bass. The project involved bank stabilisation, erosion control, addition of large woody debris as fish habitat, removal of weeds such as balloon vine, planting with native species, and site maintenance. For more information on this project, please visit Council’s Waterway Projects webpage.

Council also seeks to retain existing fish habitat by not removing snags in waterways. Snags provide fish with sites to attach eggs during breeding, sites to rest from fast river flows, shelter from predators, landmarks to define territories and aid navigation, and ambush sites. Snags also provide habitat for water bugs which are essential food sources for native fish.

• Working with partners

Camden Council works with and supports programs run by other government agencies. This includes Department of Primary Industries for weed and pest management, fish stocking, permits for works within fish passageways, and creation of fish habitat, and WaterNSW for blue-green algae notification and consultation, and management of the Nepean River weirs and fish ladders.

To see how vertical slot fishways work, view the Department of Primary Industries' video here.

Camden Council has developed the ‘Nepean River, Our River’ video series in partnership with Penrith City Council.

This video series explores the history and use of the Nepean River, what both Councils are doing to improve water quality and how you too can help limit your impact on our waterways.

To view the video series, refer to Waterway Education.

Council uses water quality data to assess the condition of our waterways. To view the Our Waterway Health report, refer to Water Quality Monitoring.