Lower Shoalhaven River - Coastal Management Program

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This page provides information for the Lower Shoalhaven River Coastal Management Programs (CMPs). Please visit the Shoalhaven Coastal Management Program Get Involved page for information regarding Council’s broader CMP program.

With 165kms of breathtaking coastline in the Shoalhaven LGA, Council understands the immense environmental, social, cultural, and economic value that this coastline provides for our community.

Shoalhaven City Council is currently developing Coastal Management Programs (CMPs) across the Shoalhaven to plan for the future of our coastline and estuaries, in accordance with the Coastal Management Act (2016). It considers historic events, current conditions, and future trends including population growth, environmental conditions, and climate change. CMP’s 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 are to be implemented, their costs, and funding mechanisms.

There are five stages to developing a CMP, which are outlined in the Coastal Management Manual.

Lower Shoalhaven River Background

Council’s adopted Citywide CMP Scoping Study (August 2020) (Stage 1) recommended that the Lower Shoalhaven River required a CMP. Council has applied for and successfully received a grant from the Department of Planning, Industry and Environment (DPIE) to develop this CMPs.

Council is now progressing to Stage 3 of the CMP process, where the Lower Shoalhaven River Estuary will undergo detailed assessment studies that will identify, analyse, and evaluate the risks for the estuaries. Throughout Stage 3 of the CMP process, concerns and issues will be considered for the Lower Shoalhaven River Estuary local area. Stage 3 includes the confirmation of strategic direction, identifying and evaluating potential management actions, further community and stakeholder engagement and the development of a draft business plan.

Community Engagement

Council will be working closely with its Coastal Management Advisory Committees, State Agency representatives, our local Aboriginal Communities and Custodians, youth, and the overall Lower Shoalhaven River Estuary community as the project progresses.

Community members will have several opportunities to provide input into the development of the CMP and to provide feedback on the draft document.

Stay Informed

To receive updates and follow the progress of this project, we encourage you to subscribe via the 'Stay Informed' function on this web page.

This page provides information for the Lower Shoalhaven River Coastal Management Programs (CMPs). Please visit the Shoalhaven Coastal Management Program Get Involved page for information regarding Council’s broader CMP program.

With 165kms of breathtaking coastline in the Shoalhaven LGA, Council understands the immense environmental, social, cultural, and economic value that this coastline provides for our community.

Shoalhaven City Council is currently developing Coastal Management Programs (CMPs) across the Shoalhaven to plan for the future of our coastline and estuaries, in accordance with the Coastal Management Act (2016). It considers historic events, current conditions, and future trends including population growth, environmental conditions, and climate change. CMP’s 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 are to be implemented, their costs, and funding mechanisms.

There are five stages to developing a CMP, which are outlined in the Coastal Management Manual.

Lower Shoalhaven River Background

Council’s adopted Citywide CMP Scoping Study (August 2020) (Stage 1) recommended that the Lower Shoalhaven River required a CMP. Council has applied for and successfully received a grant from the Department of Planning, Industry and Environment (DPIE) to develop this CMPs.

Council is now progressing to Stage 3 of the CMP process, where the Lower Shoalhaven River Estuary will undergo detailed assessment studies that will identify, analyse, and evaluate the risks for the estuaries. Throughout Stage 3 of the CMP process, concerns and issues will be considered for the Lower Shoalhaven River Estuary local area. Stage 3 includes the confirmation of strategic direction, identifying and evaluating potential management actions, further community and stakeholder engagement and the development of a draft business plan.

Community Engagement

Council will be working closely with its Coastal Management Advisory Committees, State Agency representatives, our local Aboriginal Communities and Custodians, youth, and the overall Lower Shoalhaven River Estuary community as the project progresses.

Community members will have several opportunities to provide input into the development of the CMP and to provide feedback on the draft document.

Stay Informed

To receive updates and follow the progress of this project, we encourage you to subscribe via the 'Stay Informed' function on this web page.

  • Lower Shoalhaven River CMP - Stage 2 and 3 feedback

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    Did you provide feedback during Stage 2 and 3 of the Lower Shoalhaven River Coastal Management Program (CMP)? See how your comments have been considered by the project team within our Closing the Loop document.

    Community consultation was completed during Stage 2 and 3 of the CMP to gain feedback from the community to be used in identifying and developing of the potential management actions for the CMP.

    The Closing the Loop document describes how this feedback is being considered.

    • It evaluates potential management actions in Stage 3 of the CMP.
    • The actions identified will inform the measures adopted in Stage 4 of the CMP.

    Stage 3 and 4 of the CMP will be publicly exhibited for further community input before the Lower Shoalhaven River CMP is finalised in early 2025.

  • Final Stage 2 Reports for the Lower Shoalhaven River Coastal Management Programs (CMP).

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    Council is pleased to share the final Stage 2 Reports for the Lower Shoalhaven River Coastal Management Programs (CMP).

    The purpose of Stage 2 of the CMP development process is to determine risks, vulnerabilities and opportunities for the CMP study area. Stage 2 is a technical stage that requires gathering the background information, developing a conceptual model, defining the coastal hazards within the area, and modelling and mapping the region to create a risk assessment based on the hazard mapping models. Stage 2 requires the studies identified in the Shoalhaven CMP Scoping Study to be undertaken

    The following Stage 2 reports are published in the ‘Document Library’ on this webpage:

    • Synthesis of Current Knowledge
    • Tidal and coastal inundation, Morphological Changes to Berrys Canal, Groundwater and Acid Sulfate Soils Assessment
    • Bank Condition and Riparian Assessment
    • Urban Runoff treatment
    • Review and Evaluation of Water Quality Monitoring and Sampling
    • Boating Study
    • Detailed Risk Assessment


    If you have questions about these reports or the CMP development process, you can contact Council via e-mail to the Coastal Management Unit – coastal.management@shoalhaven.nsw.gov.au or by calling Council on 1300 293 111.

  • Stage 3 – Community Consultation – Project Update

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    The Lower Shoalhaven River CMP is now progressing through Stage 3. In this stage, our project team is developing a list of potential management actions for consideration in the CMP.

    Council would like to thank the community for providing valuable input during community workshops held in July 2023 and via the online mapping platform. This feedback is now being used to help refine, assess and rank the various management actions. This has ensured the project team is informed of the perspectives, values and priorities of the broader community.

    The online mapping platform will be closing on Friday 17 November 2023 at 5pm. If you haven’t already, please provide your feedback by this time.

    If you have any other comments beyond this date, please contact the project team via coastal.management@shoalhaven.nsw.gov.au.

  • Successful Community Workshops

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    Council thanks community members for their attendance and participation in recent workshops held for the Lower Shoalhaven River Coastal Management Program (CMP) on 25 and 26 July 2023.

    The Shoalhaven community raised important issues and concerns for the local area as well as putting forward several ideas for possible solutions and management actions; creating a very positive, constructive and inclusive workshop.

    This feedback is now being used to help the project team develop potential management actions as we progress through Stage 3 of this CMP.

    If you were unable to attend a session, you can still have your say through our Interactive Map or by contacting the Coastal Team by emailing coastal.management@shoalhaven.nsw.gov.au.

  • Stage 3 - Drop-in Sessions

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    As part of the Lower Shoalhaven River Coastal Management Program, we are inviting you to have your say to help build upon identified issues, concerns and opportunities for the Lower Shoalhaven River. Your feedback will guide future management of the Lower Shoalhaven River for the next ten years. Stage 3 community drop-in sessions for the Lower Shoalhaven River Coastal Management Program are being held on 25 and 26 July 2023 at the following locations.

    Shoalhaven Heads Community Centre
    Date: Tuesday 25 July 2023
    Information Drop-In Session 6:00 - 7:00pm (no registration required - all welcome)

    Shoalhaven Entertainment Centre – Nowra
    Date: Wednesday 26 July 2023
    Information Drop-In Session 6:00 - 7:00pm (no registration required - all welcome)

    If you have any questions, please contact the Coastal Team by emailing coastal.management@shoalhaven.nsw.gov.au.
  • We Need Your Input on the Lower Shoalhaven River CMP Stage 3

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    Workshop registrations are now closed. If you haven't registered, please join us at one of our information drop-in sessions (no registration required).

    As part of the Lower Shoalhaven River Coastal Management Program, we’re inviting you to an upcoming workshop that will help build upon identified issues, concerns and opportunities for the Lower Shoalhaven River. Your feedback will guide future management of the Lower Shoalhaven River for the next ten years.

    Stage 3 community workshops and information drop-in sessions for the Lower Shoalhaven River Coastal Management Program are being held on 25 and 26 July 2023.

    Shoalhaven Heads Community Centre
    Date: Tuesday 25 July 2023
    Times: Workshop 4:00 - 6:00pm (registration essential),
    Information Drop-In Session 6:00 - 7:00pm (no registration required - all welcome)

    Shoalhaven Entertainment Centre – Nowra
    Date: Wednesday 26 July 2023
    Times: Workshop 4:00 - 6:00pm (registration essential),
    Information Drop-In Session 6:00 - 7:00pm (no registration required - all welcome)

    If you have any questions, please contact the Coastal Team by emailing coastal.management@shoalhaven.nsw.gov.au
  • Project Update

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    Council would like to thank the CMP subscribers and the community for providing inputs and contributing to the preparation of our CMPs throughout 2022.

    The Project Team is still busy reviewing and finalising the Stage 2 studies for the Lower Shoalhaven River CMP, and Council is optimistic to have them all completed by early 2023. Council held a successful workshop with state agencies in late November 2022 to discuss the risks identified during Stage 2 of the CMP, and our consultants will soon start drafting potential management actions to be consulted with the community during Stage 3 of the CMP.

    As indicated in the previous project update, these Community Drop-in Sessions and workshops will be held in the first half of 2023. The Sessions and workshops will be held face-to-face, and information will also be provided online for those that can't attend in person.

    Please be reminded that you can still share your values and concerns for the Lower Shoalhaven River Estuary area using the interactive mapping tool.

    The CMP Project Team is wishing everyone a Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays. Council looks forward to continue working with the community on the Lower Shoalhaven River CMP in 2023.

  • Coastal Management Program - Project Update

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    You may have seen our surveyors and environmental experts on the water, mapping river depths and assessing the condition of riverbanks.

    The CMP Stage 2 studies they conducted involved several investigations, including:

    • riverbank erosion survey and analysis
    • coastal and tidal Inundation modelling for various future scenarios
    • boating study to determine the main concerns and issues from our community and its visitors
    • water quality and estuary health analysis including urban stormwater runoff treatment.


    Using this information, as well as your valuable input, Council and their environmental consultants are now preparing a summary report for Stage 2 of the CMP. The report will provide new knowledge on risks for the Lower Shoalhaven River resulting from coastal and tidal inundation, sea level rise, riverbank erosion, urban stormwater runoff and associated water quality. The Stage 2 summary report will be used in Stage 3. It will help inform and develop management actions that can be taken to mitigate risks and prepare our coastal use areas along the Lower Shoalhaven River.

    How can I be involved in Stage 3

    Once the range of management actions has been prepared, the opportunity for community feedback on Stage 3 will be provided to share your thoughts on the potential management actions within the CMP.

    Several Community Drop-in Sessions and workshops will be held (likely to be in late summer 2023), so you can provide face-to-face feedback and discuss the CMP with our project team. Online access for information will also be available, for those that can't attend the workshops.

  • New Interactive Mapping Tool

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    As part of Stage 2, Council would like to hear from the community about key issues and concerns impacting these areas and to obtain ideas on how best to manage them.

    One of the ways that you can provide your insight is to visit the Interactive Map, published on this web page, and use the categorised marker pins provided to comment on:

    • issues, problems or concerns that you are aware of in the Lower Shoalhaven River Estuary area
    • ideas you have that could address the issue.

    Your input will help shape and inform the development of possible management options that you will be invited to review and comment on in the coming stages.

    Please note: To participate in this activity, you will be asked to provide your email and create a user name. Your email will not be visible. Your user name will be visible to other participants. If you are not comfortable using your given names, you can choose a user name that protects your identity, such as "Anonymous". Please note, all comments will be reported anonymously. In this report we may include direct quotes, and this will also be done anonymously. We may also want to include in the report any image/s you post to the map. If so, we will contact you via email for permission.

  • River Waterway User Survey Closed

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    The Lower Shoalhaven River Waterway user survey is now closed - thank you to the 350+ respondents!

    This survey was open throughout February 2022 as part of engagement with recreational and commercial waterway users, boating clubs and businesses to provide us with an understanding of current and future utilisation at the Lower Shoalhaven River and any constraints to its utilisation. The results from the survey will inform the development of the Lower Shoalhaven River Estuary Coastal Management Program (CMP).

    Opportunities for Further Input

    Council will be seeking further input from the community in Stage 3 of the CMP later in 2022 to discuss options to improve waterway usage and address some of the issues identified in Stage 2.

    The community will also be given the opportunity to provide feedback on the recommendations in the draft CMP during a public exhibition period in Stage 4 of the CMP (early 2023).

    If you have any questions or comments for the project team, please contact Council via our “Questions” tab, or by contacting Council’s Coastal Coordinator:

    Nigel Smith
    Phone: 0437 761 473
    Email: nigel.smith@sholhaven.nsw.gov.au

    View the project's upcoming stages

Page last updated: 28 Aug 2024, 11:52 AM