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.

Q&A

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  • Share Why has the vandalism of the Greenwell Point foreshore been allowed to proceed under the guise of a Coastal Management Programme. Since council has destroyed the grass embankment and installed "Erosion Control " measures the rate of erosion has increased significantly. At high tide the once pleasant waterfront picnic area environment has been removed and access to this area is now via narrow pathways that cannot be used as the beach area is underwater. Previously people could sit on the grassed embankment and access the water. Since the installation of the Management Programme the erosion control matting has failed to control the action of wind, tides and boat wash, causing the erosion to increase at an alarming rate. Whoever is responsible should visit the site and see for themselves the destruction that they have caused. on Facebook Share Why has the vandalism of the Greenwell Point foreshore been allowed to proceed under the guise of a Coastal Management Programme. Since council has destroyed the grass embankment and installed "Erosion Control " measures the rate of erosion has increased significantly. At high tide the once pleasant waterfront picnic area environment has been removed and access to this area is now via narrow pathways that cannot be used as the beach area is underwater. Previously people could sit on the grassed embankment and access the water. Since the installation of the Management Programme the erosion control matting has failed to control the action of wind, tides and boat wash, causing the erosion to increase at an alarming rate. Whoever is responsible should visit the site and see for themselves the destruction that they have caused. on Twitter Share Why has the vandalism of the Greenwell Point foreshore been allowed to proceed under the guise of a Coastal Management Programme. Since council has destroyed the grass embankment and installed "Erosion Control " measures the rate of erosion has increased significantly. At high tide the once pleasant waterfront picnic area environment has been removed and access to this area is now via narrow pathways that cannot be used as the beach area is underwater. Previously people could sit on the grassed embankment and access the water. Since the installation of the Management Programme the erosion control matting has failed to control the action of wind, tides and boat wash, causing the erosion to increase at an alarming rate. Whoever is responsible should visit the site and see for themselves the destruction that they have caused. on Linkedin Email Why has the vandalism of the Greenwell Point foreshore been allowed to proceed under the guise of a Coastal Management Programme. Since council has destroyed the grass embankment and installed "Erosion Control " measures the rate of erosion has increased significantly. At high tide the once pleasant waterfront picnic area environment has been removed and access to this area is now via narrow pathways that cannot be used as the beach area is underwater. Previously people could sit on the grassed embankment and access the water. Since the installation of the Management Programme the erosion control matting has failed to control the action of wind, tides and boat wash, causing the erosion to increase at an alarming rate. Whoever is responsible should visit the site and see for themselves the destruction that they have caused. link

    Why has the vandalism of the Greenwell Point foreshore been allowed to proceed under the guise of a Coastal Management Programme. Since council has destroyed the grass embankment and installed "Erosion Control " measures the rate of erosion has increased significantly. At high tide the once pleasant waterfront picnic area environment has been removed and access to this area is now via narrow pathways that cannot be used as the beach area is underwater. Previously people could sit on the grassed embankment and access the water. Since the installation of the Management Programme the erosion control matting has failed to control the action of wind, tides and boat wash, causing the erosion to increase at an alarming rate. Whoever is responsible should visit the site and see for themselves the destruction that they have caused.

    Gil James. asked 3 months ago

    Hi Gil,

    Thank you for your recent correspondence regarding the revegetation and fencing works at Greenwell Point.

    This stretch of foreshore was identified as a priority segment for bank protection works during the detailed, technical studies carried out during Stage 2 of the Coastal Management Program (CMP) for the Lower Shoalhaven River. Following this, Council officers and experienced contractors scoped the site and determined that this location would benefit from nature-based solutions to help reduce erosion at the site. The aim of these works is to improve erosion protection primarily through riparian vegetation and access management.

    Vegetated foreshores are an important coastal protection measure as the plants help to stabilise sediment through their roots systems, improving resilience of the bank to coastal hazards such as erosion. As the plants mature, their resilience against erosion improves. Council has used a combination of low-lying ground covers and shrubs to help stabilise the bank here. Maintaining access and visibility of the foreshore has been an important consideration for these works. The fencing installed provides formalised accessways and viewing areas for the community to enjoy the waterfront while protecting the vegetated foreshore and reducing the impact of foot-traffic through the area. There are still three access points to the foreshores; two tracks formalised via the fencing and a third point at the existing seat on the southern end. The fencing style chosen for this site is a combination of timber posts and wire. This is in alignment with the NSW Coastal Dune Management Manual, which is considered a reference point for best practice coastal management. Wire has the benefit of imposing less of a visual impact on the space compared to other fencing alternatives, ensuring that views are not heavily impacted. While the plants are establishing, hessian fabric has been wrapped around the base of the fencing to help delineate the site. This is a biodegradable material and over time, this fabric will be removed.

    Please note that these works are consistent with the nature-based erosion solutions that Shoalhaven City Council applies across the Local Government Area. Well vegetated foreshores and beaches are highly regarded as an effective erosion reduction solution. Since the works have been conducted, Council staff and revegetation contractors have been out to site multiple time to observe how the works are progressing. Increases in erosion have not been observed. The works are not vandalism. Council will continue to monitor the site.

    Thank you once again for reaching out to Shoalhaven City Council regarding these works.

     

Page last updated: 24 Mar 2025, 10:11 AM