The following groups are community run, not for profit organisations or committees providing services to the local community.
Berowra Waters Progress Association (BWPA)
The Progress Association was established in 1935 to enhance and protect the environment and community of Berowra Waters by working closely with interested parties and Hornsby Council. Today Progress aims to represent the opinions of its members and to act as a peak body of local opinions to governments, councils and business and to act as a forum to protect the interests of members.
An active Progress Association is particularly important to our community given that our way of life is unique and our amenity, our needs and our reliance on supporting services and infrastructure are not easily understood off the river.
The Progress Association distributes a wonderful newsletter, which can help keep you informed as to all the social events on the river, as well as all the things that are happening that might impact your amenity and personal investment in the river.
We hold regular public meetings allowing members to raise their concerns, and to be informed of Committee activities.
Berowra Waters Rural Fire Brigade
The Berowra Waters Rural Fire Brigade is located on the eastern shore next to the Marina.
Our Brigade has three fireboats – one of them, “The Admiral” is a new state of the art vessel named after the previous long serving Captain, Dave McMonnies. All the boats are Crewed by highly trained members, who volunteer their time and energy to help achieve the Brigade’s aims of protecting life and minimising damage to property.
Those river residents who have lived through past bushfires have seen first-hand how valuable and essential an active fire service is to our community.
We are fortunate to have a generous team of volunteers who meet regularly throughout the year to maintain vessel readiness and training and to help offer residents the best protection in the form of back burning operations.
If you are interested in joining the Berowra Waters Rural Fire Brigade (or “The River Rats” as they are known locally) ring Jason Plumridge (Snr Captain) on 0417 703 638.
Berowra Waters Residents’ Pontoon Association (BWRPA)
BWPRA is a not-for-profit association established to maintain the residents’ pontoon and certain aspects of the car park, such as keys to enter and exit during designated hours approved by Hornsby Shire Council.
The pontoon allows resident members to moor their boats for up to 48 hours at a time on the eastern foreshore, and endeavours to ensure that access to Water Access Only (WAO) properties remains feasible and affordable for the whole community within the Berowra Creek catchment zones.
The residents’ pontoon is located adjacent to the car compound (east side).
Responsibilities of the Residents’ Pontoon Association include maintenance and security issues relating to the pontoon and car park compound, issuing of pontoon gate keys, car park boom gate keys, in addition to maintaining member data and liaison with Hornsby Shire Council and other Government Bodies, including arranging the insurance that is necessary for the Association to operate.
People who are interested in utilising the residents’ pontoon or car park will find application forms, etiquette and rules of the residents’ pontoon, including the latest contact information at the above menu bar link for “Residents Pontoon Association”.
Berowra Waters Motor Yacht Club
Known by its flag as the Upside Down Motor Yacht Club this is a community organisation, which advocates for and organises boating and social events for people who own and moor boats in Berowra Waters.
Contact the Commodore Paul King on 0416 215 328.
Berowra Waters Bush Care Group
A handful of enthusiastic and committed volunteers making up the Berowra Waters Bush Care Group meet adjacent to the community hall at 9:30am on the first Monday of each month to remove rubbish, weeds and feral plants until 12:30pm.
Any volunteers are very welcome to help them to restore and preserve the beauty of our natural bush environment.
Berowra Waters Ladies’ Committee
The Ladies’ Committee is a sub-committee of Progress.
Its main purpose is to bring families and the community together by organising the wonderful events on our River Social Calendar.
The Ladies Committee has also helps provide support to the sick or infirmed residents in need of assistance with transport, shopping and home visits.
A recent innovation is the Berowra Waters “Welcoming Committee” through which the “Ladies” visit and help orientate new residents with the surrounds, the community and help to navigate the various memberships and connections that are so useful when you arrive on the river.
The Ladies Committee is always happy to receive new members, so if you are interested in getting more involved or helping, please contact any of the committee at ladiescommitteebw@gmail.com
Pipeline Trusts (Water Connections)
Town water is supplied to all houses from Silverwater estate to the end of Calabash Bay. All other river properties rely on tank water.
Whilst Sydney Water manages the water meters, the supply of water and the pipes are managed by two community Pipeline Trusts (north & south).
Water pipes come from near the Teahouse, under the Creek and along the back of each property. Each new property owner automatically becomes a member of the appropriate Trust.
Dating back to 1958, the original agreement was made with Metropolitan Water Sewerage and Drainage Board (now known as Sydney Water) to establish these long running waterline trusts which are still in existence today.
Hornsby Council is primarily responsible for the connection from Berowra Heights down to the Tea House while the Trustees coordinate the ongoing maintenance of the lines together with the management of funds associated with each Trust.
New property owners/members should contact the appropriate Trust to connect or continue the supply of water to their property. The costs are moderate given the service being provided.
The Trusts are not for profit community organisations run for the benefit of their members and it remains the responsibility of all to ensure the pipelines and connections are kept in good repair.