This spatial dataset is the area of land identified as Special or Controlled Areas in the Sydney Water Catchment Management Act 1998 The Special Areas cover approximately 364,000 hectares of mostly unspoilt native bushland around the water storages and infrastructure that supply Sydney, the Illawarra, Blue Mountains, Southern Highlands and Shoalhaven regions. Public access and activities are restricted to protect water quality in these areas.

The majority of the Special Areas are off-limits or restricted to the general public. They are divided into three protection zones with different restrictions to what you can and can't do:

Special Areas - no entry
These areas include the water storages and surrounding land with the exception of Fitzroy Falls Reservoir and part of Lake Yarrunga, which are classed as restricted entry.
Controlled Areas - no entry
These areas include the land at Warragamba protecting the water supply infrastructure and the land along the Warragamba Pipelines and Upper Canal.
Special Areas - restricted entry
These areas include the water storages and surrounding land of Fitzroy Falls Reservoir and part of Lake Yarrunga, and the second protection zone around Lake Burragorang. Vehicles (including motorcycles and bicycles), horses, pets, powered watercraft and firearms are not allowed. Restrictions do not apply to privately owned land and public roads within the Special Areas.

Special and Controlled Areas