In 2016, the NSW Government introduced a new framework to manage the coastal environment in an ecologically sustainable way for the social, cultural and economic wellbeing of the residents and visitors of NSW.
We are in the process of preparing a Coastal Management Program (CMP) which aims to provide a long term, coordinated strategy for managing the coastal zone in accordance with the Coastal Management Act 2016 (CM Act) and local objectives. This management program will be implemented through coordination between ourselves, state agencies and other key stakeholders.
Each CMP follows a five-stage program that is outlined in the NSW Coastal Management Manual:
Stage 1: Scoping Study(PDF, 7MB) was completed in May 2021. The Scoping Study helped us identify the community and stakeholders and prepare an engagement strategy, determine the context of coastal management in the local area and establish roles, responsibilities and governance arrangements to deliver management actions across the our local region.
The remainder of the CMP will be divided into four chapters based on geographic areas, allowing us to better address localised issues. Stages 2, 3, 4 and 5 will be repeated for each of these four areas to ensure that site‑specific details are captured and on‑ground issues are effectively managed. We are currently finalising the Stage 2 projects and have begun Stage 3. The CMP is expected to be completed by 2027.
Table 1: Indicative CMP Timeframe
Covers the open coastline area from the 4 x 4 access track adjacent to Dirah Street, Lake Cathie to the southern side of Grants Head at Bonny Hills
Projects completed in the development of Stage 2 of the CMP include:
Assessing the impact of sewage overflows on oyster harvest areas: Hastings River estuary
(excluding the open coastline that is covered in the Lake Cathie/Bonny Hills area)