Open Coast and Jervis Bay Coastal Management Program

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This page provides information for the Open Coast and Jervis Bay 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

This page provides information for the Open Coast and Jervis Bay 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.

Open Coast and Jervis Bay Background

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

The Shoalhaven Open Coast and Jervis Bay 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 Shoalhaven coastline, as well as extensive community engagement on the issues related to coastal management within the LGA. Council’s approach and commitment to community engagement through the development of the CMP has been highly commended by the Department for Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW) and other State Government agency stakeholders.

Following the public exhibition of the CMP from November 2023 to February 2024, the CMP was updated based on feedback received from the community and State Government Agency stakeholders. The updated CMP was presented to both the CMP Advisory Committee’s and Council to gain endorsement and adoption of the final CMP. Council formally supported the adoption of the CMP on the 6 May 2024.

The CMP was certified by the NSW Minister for Climate Change, Energy, the Environment, and Heritage in August 2024. Following certification, the CMP now enters Stage 5 where Council will implement, monitor, evaluate and report on management actions identified in the final CMP.

The CMP comprises a program of integrated management actions that are intended to address key issues, and harness new opportunities for the management of the Shoalhaven coastal zone. It outlines 116 management actions that are to be implemented over a forward 10-year management timeframe under seven overarching strategies for managing the coast, which include:

  • Governance and Management
  • Community and Stakeholder Engagement
  • Land Use Planning and Adaptation
  • Protection of the Coastal Environment
  • Protection of Cultural Heritage
  • Asset Management
  • Emergency Planning and Response

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.

  • Stage 3 Survey Extended to 16 October 2022

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    Thank you for the great feed back we have received so far.

    The Stage 3 survey closing date has now been extended to Sunday 16 October 2022.

    Shoalhaven’s Open Coast CMP is now progressing through Stage 3. In this stage, our project team has developed a list of potential management actions for consideration in the CMP. We would like anyone who is interested in, values, or lives near the Shoalhaven coast to have a say in how the coast is managed, by:

    Being Informed

    Providing Input

    If you haven't already, please provide your feedback by 5pm, Sunday 16 October 2022.

  • Stage 3 Survey Out Now - We Need Your Input

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    Shoalhaven’s Open Coast CMP is now progressing through Stage 3. In this stage, our project team has developed a list of potential management actions for consideration in the CMP. We would like anyone who is interested in, values, or lives near the Shoalhaven coast to have a say in how the coast is managed, by:

    Being Informed


    Providing Input


    Please provide your feedback by 5pm, Sunday 16 October 2022.

    Community Drop-In Sessions

    Drop-in sessions are being held where you can meet Council staff and consultants working on the project at:

    Where: Ulladulla Civic Centre - 81B Princes Highway
    When: Tuesday 6 September 2022
    Time: 2-4 pm & 5-7pm

    Where: Huskisson Community Centre - 17 Dent Street
    When: Wednesday 7 September 2022
    Time: 2-4 pm & 5-7pm

    Where: Shoalhaven Entertainment Centre - 42 Bridge Road, Nowra
    When: Thursday, 8 September 2022
    Time: 2-4 pm & 5-7pm



  • Stage 2 Nearing Completion and Stage 3 Commencing

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    Over the last few months, the CMP has been progressing through Stage 2. This has involved investigating the risks from coastal erosion and inundation - and identifying land and assets that are potentially exposed to these hazards. This has included identifying land and assets that may become exposed to these risks in the future, due to climate change impacts such as sea level rise and long-term shoreline recession.

    Stage 2 has also included an up-to-date assessment of cliff and slope instability across the many cliffs, headlands and bluffs along the coastline.

    This work is nearing completion, and project will shortly be commencing Stage 3. This will involve developing potential management actions that can address key risks, and preserve what we love about the coast. It is anticipated that Stage 3 will take place across early to mid-2022.

    How can I be involved?

    During Stage 3, we will be asking the community for their help to:

    • Provide your suggestions and opinions regarding potential management options/actions that may be included in the CMP, and
    • Provide feedback on some of the management actions that have been proposed by the project team to date.

    We will be provided a number of different ways for you to be involved, including a series of Community Drop-in Sessions so that you can provide face-to-face feedback and discuss the CMP with our project team in person.

    Council will provide detail regarding these activities once they have been confirmed with the project team. It is expected that they will occur after winter.

  • Coastal Management Program Video

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    Take a look at our short video explaining what you need to know about the Open Coast and Jervis Bay Coastal Management Program (CMP).

    It outlines:

    • what the CMP aims to achieve
    • how it will be developed, and
    • how and when you can Get Involved in its preparation.


  • 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.

  • Stages 2 to 4 Delivery - Consultants Engaged

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    In August 2021, Council commissioned the consultancy team of Water Technology and Molino Stewart to undertake Stages 2 to 4 of this CMP.

    It is anticipated that it will take approximately 12 months to progress through Stages 2 to 4. The development of the program will include extensive engagement with the local community, business owners, community groups, indigenous groups, and relevant government agencies.

    What happens in Stage 2?

    The project is now commencing Stage 2. The purpose of this stage is to understand the issues that affect the environmental, social, cultural, and economic values of the coastal zone. Stage 2 will consider historical events, current conditions, and future trends (including population growth, and climate change).

    Stage 2 will define the coastal hazards within the area and build on Council’s existing coastal erosion modelling and mapping of the region and create a risk assessment based on the hazard mapping models. This will help 'complete the picture' of the various kinds of hazards that affect our coastline.

    This stage will take place in mid to late 2021. The next stage, Stage 3, will then develop potential management actions that can address key risks, and preserve what we love about the coast.

    How can I be involved?

    We’d like anybody who is interested in, values, or lives near the coast to have a say in its management.

    Council has developed this Get Involved page for the project, which will provide relevant information on the CMP, regular progress updates, and provide a number of ways for the community to have their say. Please forward any questions you have on this project through the 'Questions' tab on this Get Involved web page.

    Council is excited to work alongside a highly experienced and professional team at Water Technology and Molino Stewart to develop this CMP. Council will be working closely with the all Coastal Management Program Advisory Committees and wider community as the project progresses.

  • Project Updates Coming Soon!

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    Project updates will be provided in the News Feed as the project progresses.

    Subscribe for updates via the Stay Informed function on the project page to be notified each time there is a project update.

Page last updated: 04 Sep 2024, 12:04 PM