Traditional Owners

The original inhabitants of the Hawkesbury area were the Dharug and Darkinjung Aboriginal people.

Settlement history

European settlement dates from 1794 when 22 farms were established at the settlement on the Hawkesbury River. By 1810 Governor Lachlan Macquarie named four of the five Macquarie Towns in the area: Pitt Town, Richmond, Wilberforce and Windsor (originally The Green Hills). Gradual growth took place from the early 1800s. More substantial growth took place from the 1860s into the early 1900s with improved transport and industry. Significant development occurred in the post-war period, particularly during the 1970s and 1980s. The population increased from nearly 29,000 in 1976 to about 38,000 in 1981, and then to about 50,000 in 1989. The population continued to increase during the 1990s, although at a slower rate, rising from about 51,000 in 1991 to about 61,000 in 2001. The population was relatively stable between 2001 and 2006, and then rose slightly between 2006 and 2011. As of 2011, the finalised estimated resident population (ERP) figure for Hawkesbury City was 64,234 (ABS, Cat. No. 3218.0 - Regional Population Growth, Australia, 2013).

Land use

Hawkesbury City is predominantly comprised of national and state parks, with some residential, commercial, industrial and military land use. The City encompasses a total land area of about 2,800 square kilometres, of which more than 70% is National Park. The Hawkesbury is divided by 5 river systems; the Nepean, Hawkesbury, Grose, Colo and MacDonald rivers. The main population centres are Windsor and Richmond, with urban areas also in many small townships and localities. The majority of the population live in the south-eastern section of the City.

Transport

Hawkesbury City is served by Bells Line of Road, Singleton Road, Wollombi Road, Richmond-Blacktown Road, and the Western railway line.

Major features

• Major features of Hawkesbury City include Blue Mountains National Park,
• Cattai National Park (Mitchell Park),
• Scheyville National Park,
• Wollemi National Park,
• Yengo National Park,
• RAAF Base Richmond,
• Western Sydney University (Hawkesbury Campus),
• TAFE NSW Western Sydney Institute (Richmond College),
• The Windsor and Richmond CBDs (including various shopping centres and malls),
• Parr State Conservation Area,
• Windsor Downs Nature Reserve,
• Yellomundee Regional Park,
• Crago Observatory,
• Pitt Town Lagoon,
• Hawkesbury Race Club,
• Hawkesbury Showgrounds,
• various business and industrial districts,
• numerous accommodation places,
• Hawkesbury District Health Service,
• The Hawkesbury/Nepean River and various ferries.

Included areas