Access in Special Areas

Under the Sydney Water Catchment Management Act 1998, there are two water quality protection zones:

  • Schedule One (land close to the water storages), and
  • Schedule Two (second tier buffer zone, adjoining Schedule One).

These zones are known as the Special Areas.

There are restrictions and controls on land use, development and access in the Special Areas to protect water quality.

Under the relevant regulations, fines of up to $11,000 apply for unauthorised or illegal access in the Special Areas.

The Special Areas Brochure - What you can and can't do explains the restrictions that apply to the Special Areas and includes a map showing their boundaries.

If you require access to the Special or Controlled Areas you need to apply to the Sydney Catchment Authority for permission.

Schedule One areas

Schedule One areas are the land immediately around the water storages. In the Warragamba catchment, Schedule One land extends for three kilometres from the top of the stored water level in Lake Burragorang (formed by Warragamba Dam).

In the Blue Mountains, Woronora and Metropolitan catchments, Schedule One lands cover the entire catchments.

No access is allowed in Schedule One land, on foot or by vehicle, including motorcycles, bicycles and horses.

The only exceptions are the following walking corridors:

Warragamba Catchment

  • Access corridor for walkers from Katoomba to Yerranderie or Mittagong via White Dog Ridge, Mt Cookem, Scott's Main Range, and Beloon Pass.

Blue Mountains Catchment

  • Walls Cave walking track, off Evans Lookout Road, Blackheath
  • The Transit of Venus walking track, which provides access to Hazel, Mabel and Edith falls, starting at Woodbury Street, Woodford.

Walkers using the access corridors cannot camp in Schedule One land. Walking corridors are for walkers only. No motorcycles, bicycles or horses are allowed.

Schedule Two areas

Schedule Two areas surround the Lake Burragorang storages. Vehicle access is restricted (including motorcycles, bicycles and horses), but walkers are generally allowed.

There is no swimming, horeseriding, fishing, cycling or boating allowed - unless otherwise stated.

Dams and picnic areas

Controlled access is allowed to the SCA's dams and picnic areas in the Special Areas.

Full details of facilities, opening hours, and permitted activities at the dams and picnic areas are available in the visiting dams section of this website.