Open Coast and Jervis Bay Coastal Management Program

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.

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.

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.

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 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.