Open Coast and Jervis Bay Coastal Management Program

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.

Council has progressed through Stage 2 of the CMP process, where the Open Coast and Jervis Bay underwent detailed assessment studies to identify, analyse, and evaluate the risks for the coastline. Stage 3 of the CMP process has also been completed. Stage 3 involved the confirmation of strategic direction, identification and evaluation of potential management actions, further community and stakeholder engagement and the development of a draft business plan. The CMP is now progressing to Stage 4. This involves preparing a detailed program that lists the management actions to be implemented over the next 10 years and when those actions will be implemented, their costs, how they will be funded, and by whom.

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 Shoalhaven 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.