Shoalhaven Coastal Management Programs

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Stretching over 165kms, the coast is one of the Shoalhaven’s greatest assets. Our community values the remarkable coastline for its environmental, social, cultural and economic benefits. However, the coast faces many challenges with the potential to impact how we enjoy living by the water. How we manage our coastline is crucial to current activities and in preparing for the future.

Why is Council Creating Coastal Management Programs?

Coastal Management Programs (CMPs) are required in accordance with the Coastal Management Act 2016 for our estuaries and coastline, to replace the pre-existing Coastal Zone Management Plans (CZMP), developed under the now repealed Coastal Protection Act 1979, and Estuary Management Plans. cost, and funding mechanisms.

The CMPs will be developed and guided by the NSW State Government's Coastal Management Manual.

What is a Coastal Management Program?

A CMP is a long-term strategy for managing the coastal regions in the face of future climate risks. A CMP provides the framework and strategy that will be used to manage our coastlines and estuaries.

The CMPs will consider:

  • Historic events
  • Current conditions
  • Future trends including population growth, environmental conditions, and climate change

CMPs identify coastal management issues and the actions required to address these issues in a strategic and integrated way. It will also detail how and when those actions will be implemented, the cost, and funding mechanisms.

CMPs are developed in accordance with the Coastal Management Program Legislation and guided by the NSW State Government's Coastal Management Manual.

Through five stages of development, each CMP will work to determine risks and vulnerabilities associated with coastal hazards, identifying opportunities and options to mitigate these risks through management actions. The CMP will outline how and when each management action will be implemented, the associated costs, and potential funding mechanisms. Stages 1-4 develop and build the business plan in close consultation with the community and state government agency stakeholders. Stage 5 focusses on the implementation of the management actions over a 10-year timeframe.

What are the stages of developing a CMP?

CMPs are broken down into five stages that are designed to:

  • Address coastal hazard risks
  • Preserve habitats and cultural uses
  • Encourage sustainable agricultural, economic and built development in the coastal zone
  • Maintain or improve recreational amenity and resilience
  • Adapt to emerging issues such as population growth and climate change

View the Five Stages of a CMP newsfeed below to see the details for each stage.

How Many CMP’s is Council Preparing?

The coastal landscape of Shoalhaven LGA is a valuable natural, social, and economic asset for the community and visitors alike. Council manages 40 of the 109 beaches and 11 of the 15 lakes and estuaries.

The Stage 1 CMP Citywide Scoping Study identified the priority areas and groupings for development of Council’s CMPs based on the risks, complexities, level of development of coastal management, as well as community and stakeholder feedback. This would allow Council to break the CMPs into smaller compartments to address the need for site specific management actions and priorities in each area.

The recommended priority and groupings for development of the CMPs is below:

  • Lake Conjola (high priority)
  • Shoalhaven Open Coast (high priority)
  • Jervis Bay (high priority)
  • Sussex Inlet, Swan Lake and Berrara Creek (high priority)
  • St. Georges Basin (high priority)
  • Lower Shoalhaven River (high priority)
  • Lake Wollumboola (medium priority)
  • Burrill Lake, Lake Tabourie and Willinga Lake (medium priority)
  • Currambene Creek and Moona Moona Creek (medium priority)
  • Shoalhaven Urban and Rural Estuaries (lower priority)

In June 2020, Council endorsed the recommendations of the Stage 1 Citywide Scoping Study and resolved to continue with the process to develop CMPs for the identified high priority locations in accordance with requirements of the CM Act.

How to get involved?

We encourage you to participate in the development of the CMPs by subscribing to this Get Involved pages via the 'Stay Informed' function on this page.

For more information visit the NSW State Government website.

Stretching over 165kms, the coast is one of the Shoalhaven’s greatest assets. Our community values the remarkable coastline for its environmental, social, cultural and economic benefits. However, the coast faces many challenges with the potential to impact how we enjoy living by the water. How we manage our coastline is crucial to current activities and in preparing for the future.

Why is Council Creating Coastal Management Programs?

Coastal Management Programs (CMPs) are required in accordance with the Coastal Management Act 2016 for our estuaries and coastline, to replace the pre-existing Coastal Zone Management Plans (CZMP), developed under the now repealed Coastal Protection Act 1979, and Estuary Management Plans. cost, and funding mechanisms.

The CMPs will be developed and guided by the NSW State Government's Coastal Management Manual.

What is a Coastal Management Program?

A CMP is a long-term strategy for managing the coastal regions in the face of future climate risks. A CMP provides the framework and strategy that will be used to manage our coastlines and estuaries.

The CMPs will consider:

  • Historic events
  • Current conditions
  • Future trends including population growth, environmental conditions, and climate change

CMPs identify coastal management issues and the actions required to address these issues in a strategic and integrated way. It will also detail how and when those actions will be implemented, the cost, and funding mechanisms.

CMPs are developed in accordance with the Coastal Management Program Legislation and guided by the NSW State Government's Coastal Management Manual.

Through five stages of development, each CMP will work to determine risks and vulnerabilities associated with coastal hazards, identifying opportunities and options to mitigate these risks through management actions. The CMP will outline how and when each management action will be implemented, the associated costs, and potential funding mechanisms. Stages 1-4 develop and build the business plan in close consultation with the community and state government agency stakeholders. Stage 5 focusses on the implementation of the management actions over a 10-year timeframe.

What are the stages of developing a CMP?

CMPs are broken down into five stages that are designed to:

  • Address coastal hazard risks
  • Preserve habitats and cultural uses
  • Encourage sustainable agricultural, economic and built development in the coastal zone
  • Maintain or improve recreational amenity and resilience
  • Adapt to emerging issues such as population growth and climate change

View the Five Stages of a CMP newsfeed below to see the details for each stage.

How Many CMP’s is Council Preparing?

The coastal landscape of Shoalhaven LGA is a valuable natural, social, and economic asset for the community and visitors alike. Council manages 40 of the 109 beaches and 11 of the 15 lakes and estuaries.

The Stage 1 CMP Citywide Scoping Study identified the priority areas and groupings for development of Council’s CMPs based on the risks, complexities, level of development of coastal management, as well as community and stakeholder feedback. This would allow Council to break the CMPs into smaller compartments to address the need for site specific management actions and priorities in each area.

The recommended priority and groupings for development of the CMPs is below:

  • Lake Conjola (high priority)
  • Shoalhaven Open Coast (high priority)
  • Jervis Bay (high priority)
  • Sussex Inlet, Swan Lake and Berrara Creek (high priority)
  • St. Georges Basin (high priority)
  • Lower Shoalhaven River (high priority)
  • Lake Wollumboola (medium priority)
  • Burrill Lake, Lake Tabourie and Willinga Lake (medium priority)
  • Currambene Creek and Moona Moona Creek (medium priority)
  • Shoalhaven Urban and Rural Estuaries (lower priority)

In June 2020, Council endorsed the recommendations of the Stage 1 Citywide Scoping Study and resolved to continue with the process to develop CMPs for the identified high priority locations in accordance with requirements of the CM Act.

How to get involved?

We encourage you to participate in the development of the CMPs by subscribing to this Get Involved pages via the 'Stay Informed' function on this page.

For more information visit the NSW State Government website.

  • Northern Coastal Management Program Advisory Committee - Youth Position

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    Council is seeking applications for a youth representative (between ages 16-30) to join the Northern Area Coastal Management Program Advisory Committee.

    The Committee assists Council in:

    • the development and implementation of coastal management programs (CMPs)
    • providing input into known coastal event(s) and erosion behaviour
    • facilitate broader community consultation and participation in coast and estuary management through informing and liaising with member community groups.

    The northern area applies to the following coastal areas and estuaries:

    • All Council managed beaches from Seven Mile/Berry’s Beach of the northern coastal boundary to the southern end of Warrain/Currarong Beach
    • Shoalhaven River Estuary
    • Broughton Creek
    • Crookhaven River/Curleys Bay
    • Lake Wollumboola
    • Shoalhaven urban and rural estuaries.

    The terms of reference for the Committee can be viewed online for more information. The Committees will meet as required, normally during business hours, at the Nowra Administration Building or via online.

    Submit an application by completing the membership form and return by post to The Chief Executive Officer, Shoalhaven City Council, PO Box 42 Nowra NSW 2541, or email it to council@shoalhaven.nsw.gov.au.

    Feel free to get in contact with the Coastal Management Unit with any questions via email coastal.management@shoalhaven.nsw.gov.au or phone 1300 293 111.

  • Apply Now! - Northern Area Coastal Management Program Advisory Committee

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    Council is seeking applications of a community member to join its Northern Area Coastal Management Program Advisory Committee.

    The Coastal Management Program Advisory Committees consist of 3 separate committees:

    • Northern Coastal Management Program Advisory Committee
    • Central Coastal Management Program Advisory Committee
    • Southern Coastal Management Program Advisory Committee
    The Committees assist Council in:
    • the development and implementation of the coastal management programs
    • providing input into known coastal event(s) and erosion behaviour
    • facilitate broader community consultation and participation in coast and estuary management through informing and liaising with member community groups.

    The northern area applies to the following coastal areas and estuaries:

    • All Council managed beaches from Seven Mile/Berry Beach of the northern coastal boundary to the southern end of Warrain/Currarong Beach
    • Shoalhaven River Estuary
    • Broughton Creek
    • Crookhaven River/Curleys Bay
    • Lake Wollumboola
    • Shoalhaven urban and rural estuaries.

    The Committees will meet as required, normally during business hours, at the Nowra Administration Building or via online.

    Submit an application by completing the membership form and return by post to The Chief Executive Officer, Shoalhaven City Council, PO Box 42 Nowra NSW 2541 or email it to council@shoalhaven.nsw.gov.au.

    Applications close Tuesday 14 February 2023.

  • Project Update

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    On the 18, 19 and 20 October 2021, Council met with the three Coastal Management Program Advisory Committees (North, Central and Southern) to discuss the status of the current Coastal Management Programs and other relevant coastal projects.

    Council would like to thank the committee members for their time and input to help build a positive and constructive environment and to ensure Council are informed of the perspectives and priorities of the broader community.

    View the Agenda and Minutes on Council's website. Select the respective meeting from the drop-down option.

  • Coastal Management Programs - Development Process

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    Shoalhaven City Council is preparing Coastal Management Programs that aim to protect and preserve the future of the Shoalhaven’s coastline and estuaries.

    Take a look at the Coastal Management Program Brochure (CMP) published in the ‘Document Library’ outlining the process of developing a CMP.


  • Funding Boost Supports Shoalhaven Coastlines

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    Shoalhaven City Council has received more than $111,000 in funding from the NSW Government to undertake works to improve key coastal spots and combat erosion at Burrill Lake, Collingwood Beach and Shoalhaven Heads.

    The NSW Government funding was awarded to Council as part of the 2020-21 Coastal and Estuary Grants Program.

    The Coastal and Estuary grants awarded to Council include:

    • Lions Park, Burrill Lake: $28,975 to fund moving sand from adjacent flood tide delta shoals to nourish the foreshore and manage erosion impacts to vegetation, at this popular recreational foreshore area.
    • Collingwood Beach: $56,550 for restoration work of dunes, planting more diverse species with varying root systems to help stabilise the dunes.
    • Shoalhaven Heads: $26,250 for dune management erosion control measures to protect this popular area while making it more amenable.

    Council expects to commence these works in the 2021-22 financial year. Project planning is underway, including seeking approvals to undertake these critical works.

    Council has Coastal Zone Management Plans in place to provide sustainable plans for our coastal areas and are essential for both legislative and community reasons.

    For more information about Shoalhaven Coastal Management Plans visit Shoalhaven Coastal Management Programs Get Involved web page.

  • New Coastal Management Programs

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    Council have created three new Get Involved pages to provide community members with the latest updates and information regarding the development of Coastal Management Programs for the following areas:

    Be sure to click on the links above to view the Get Involved pages and sign up through ‘Stay Informed’ to receive the latest updates from Council.

  • The Five Stages of a Coastal Management Program

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    Stage one: Identify the scope of a CMP

    The first step is to identify the scope of a CMP which results in a Scoping Study. The Scoping Study incorporates local priority management issues, reviews existing management plans, identifies information gaps, and identifies how consultation and engagement should take place during preparation of a CMP.

    Once the Scoping Study has been certified, Council will engage a consultant to take on the actions required within Stages 2 – 4 via a Coast and Estuary Grant from the NSW State Government.

    Stage two: Determine Risks, vulnerabilities and opportunities

    This is a technical stage that requires gathering the background, further community consultation, a conceptual model, defining the coastal hazards within the area and modelling and mapping of the region and creating a risk assessment based on the hazard mapping models.

    Stage 2 requires the studies identified in the Scoping Study to be undertaken.

    Stage three: Identify and evaluate options.

    This stage includes the confirmation of strategic direction, identifying and evaluating potential management actions, further community and stakeholder consultation and the development of a draft business plan.

    Stage four: Prepare, exhibit, finalise, certify and adopt the CMP

    This stage involves preparing a draft CMP for public exhibition, incorporating community feedback and finalising the CMP taking into account all submissions and recommendations and ensuring that all statutory and mandatory requirements have been met.

    Stage five: Implement, monitor, evaluate and report

    The final stage of the process includes implementing, monitoring and evaluating the works proposed within the CMP, along with reporting and liaising with stakeholders.

  • $1.1m in Funding for Coastal Management Programs

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    Shoalhaven City Council’s Environmental Services Department have made significant progress on the Coastal Management Programs (CMP) which will provide long-term strategies for the coordinated management of Shoalhaven’s coastal zones and waterways.

    Council has successfully obtained five State Government grant applications from the Department of Planning, Industry and Environment (DPIE) Coastal and Estuary Planning Grants Program, to help plan for and manage the health of our unique coasts and estuaries while improving the resilience of coastal communities.

    Council also obtained a grant from the DPIE in 2019 to support the preparation of the Lake Conjola CMP, and at Council's 8 December 2020 Strategy and Assets Committee meeting, resolved to accept the Tender from Royal Haskoning DHV for the Lake Conjola Coastal Management Program. The project commenced in February and Council continues to work closely with the Southern Coastal Management Advisory Committee, state agencies, our local Aboriginal community and the Lake Conjola community as the project progresses.

    In April 2021, Council successfully obtained funding under DPIE’s Coastal and Estuary Planning Grants Program funding of over $1.1million for our coastal areas.

    Successful grants applications have been obtained for the Shoalhaven Coastal Management Program ($180,000), Jervis Bay Coastal Management Program ($120,000), St Georges Basin, Sussex Inlet, Swan Lake and Berrara Creek Coastal Management Program ($300,000), Lower Shoalhaven River Coastal Management Program ($326,666) and the South Mollymook Coastal Protection Design and Approvals ($210,000).

    The grants will go towards the preparation of CMPs for each area with the exception of South Mollymook, with the funding going towards a detailed design and environmental assessments and approvals for the preferred seawall at the golf club and car park at the south end of Mollymook Beach.

    Prior to the funding announcement, Council had begun drafting the project briefs for these CMPs based on Council’s Adopted CMP Scoping Study.

    Council is required by state legislation to prepare a Coastal Management Program (CMP) for the estuaries and sections of the Shoalhaven’s 165km coastal zone. Shoalhaven City Council manages most of the region’s beaches, bays and headlands, and some of the lakes and estuaries, often in partnership with state government agencies.

    A drop-in Information Session for the Lake Conjola CMP will be held on Monday, 19 April 2021 at the Lake Conjola Community Centre from 4pm to 7pm. This session is to update the community with an overview of progress on the preparation of the Lake Conjola CMP, as well as what they can expect as the program progresses over the next 12 months. 

  • Lake Conjola Coastal Management Program Drop-in Information Session

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    Do you live, work, or play in Lake Conjola and surrounds?

    If so, Council would like to invite you to a drop-in information session about the Lake Conjola Coastal Management Program (CMP) for the catchment area.

    When: Monday, 19 April 2021

    Where: Lake Conjola Community Centre

    Drop-in time: Between 4:00pm – 7:00pm

    For more information, subscribe to follow the project through 'Stay Informed' on this Get Involved Page.

  • Coastal Management Program Update

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    The Coastal Team at Shoalhaven Council would like to provide an update on the status of the Coastal Management Programs (CMP).

    Lake Conjola Coastal Management Program
    In the Strategy and Assets Committee meeting on 8 December 2020, Council resolved to accept the Tender from Royal HaskoningDHV for the Lake Conjola Coastal Management Program (CSA20.18). Royal HaskoningDHV was notified of the success of their Tender and contracts were exchanged in February following contract negotiations. The project began in February and Council will be working closely with the Coastal Committees, as well as the Lake Conjola Community as the project progresses.

    Other Coastal Management Programs

    Shoalhaven City Council has applied for grants through the NSW Government Coastal and Estuary Grants Program to prepare CMPs for other coastlines and estuaries in the Shoalhaven LGA. Grants to prepare individual CMPs for the Shoalhaven Coastline and Jervis Bay, and St. Georges Basin, Sussex Inlet, Berrara Creek and Swan Lake have been submitted. In preparation for the funding, Council has begun drafting the project brief for these CMPs based on Council’s Adopted Scoping Study. These will be made available for review by your CMP Advisory Committees once drafted.

    Further consultation will take place with the broader community and stakeholders once a contractor is awarded and the preparation of the CMPs commence.

    Coastal Committee Meetings in March 2021

    The CMP Advisory Committees met in person for the first time in March 2021. The North and Central Area CMP Advisory Committee met on 15 March 2021, and the Southern Area CMP Advisory Committee met on 17 March 2021. The committee meeting minutes are published on Council's Agenda and Minutes webpage.

Page last updated: 19 Jun 2024, 04:19 PM