Shoalhaven City Council’s strategy for the long-term management of three major estuaries has been certified by the NSW Government.
The St Georges Basin, Sussex Inlet, Swan Lake and Berrara Creek Coastal Management Program (CMP) was certified by the NSW Minister for Climate Change, Energy, the Environment, and Heritage, Penny Sharpe in October.
Certification of the CMP paves the way for Council to implement, monitor, evaluate and report on the management actions identified in the final program.
“This is a fantastic outcome for Council after several years of hard work from staff to develop the program, in consultation with the community and key stakeholders,” said Shoalhaven Mayor, Patricia White.
“The CMP is an incredibly important document that will enable Council to protect, manage and preserve these popular estuaries now and for the enjoyment of future generations,” White said.
“I’d like to thank all involved in the project, including members of our community who provided feedback during consultation periods and attended information sessions. I’d also like to acknowledge and thank the NSW Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW) for the vital grant funding which allowed us to complete this important work,” she said.
The 66 management actions outlined in the CMP aim to address the estuaries’ key risks and vulnerabilities and identify opportunities to manage these areas over the next decade.
The management actions were developed around six key themes including foreshore erosion, the ecological environment, cultural and social, inundation and sea-level rise, boating and navigation, and water quality.
The CMP was developed in line with the staged development process identified in the NSW Coastal Management Manual and Coastal Management Act 2016. This included technical studies and detailed assessments of coastal hazards and risks facing the study area, as well as extensive community engagement on the issues related to coastal management within the estuaries.
For more information about the St Georges Basin, Sussex Inlet, Swan Lake and Berrara Creek Coastal Management Program visit Council’s website.
