Sussex Inlet, St Georges Basin, Swan Lake & Berrara Creek CMP

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This page provides information for the St Georges Basin, Sussex Inlet, Swan Lake, and Berrara Creek 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

This page provides information for the St Georges Basin, Sussex Inlet, Swan Lake, and Berrara Creek 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.

Sussex Inlet, St Georges Basin, Berrara and Swan Lake Background

Council’s adopted Citywide CMP Scoping Study (August 2020) (Stage 1) recommended that St Georges Basin, Sussex Inlet, Swan Lake, and Berrara Creek 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 is now progressing to Stage 2 of the CMP process, where St Georges Basin, Sussex Inlet, Swan Lake, and Berrara Creek will undergo detailed assessment studies that will identify, analyse, and evaluate the risks for the estuaries. To carry out Stages 2 – 4 of the Coastal Management Program development for St Georges Basin, Sussex Inlet, Berrara Creek and Swan Lake, Council sought a suitably qualified consultant. Public request for tender has been advertised on Tenderlink and on Council's website and close on 3 August 2021.

Throughout Stage 3 of the CMP process, concerns and issues will be considered for the St Georges Basin, Sussex Inlet, Swan Lake, and Berrara Creek 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 St Georges Basin, Sussex Inlet, Swan Lake, and Berrara Creek communities 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.

  • Stage 2 Reports Now Available

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    Council is pleased to share the final Stage 2 Reports for the Sussex Inlet, St Georges Basin, Swan Lake and Berrara Creek Coastal Management Programs (CMPs).

    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 web page:

    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.

  • Have Your Say on Stage 3 - Community Consultation Period Extended

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    Community consultation has been extended to 31 July 2023.

    The Sussex Inlet, St Georges Basin, Swan Lake and Berrara Creek Coastal Management Programs (CMP) are now progressing through to Stage 3. In this stage, a list of Potential Management Actions has been developed for consideration. We are asking the community to provide feedback and suggestions on the proposed management actions. These potential management actions have been developed following consultation with both community and government stakeholders and based on technical studies undertaken during Stage 2 of the CMP process.

    If you provided feedback during Stage 2, you can see how your comments were considered in developing the management actions in Stage 2 - Closing the Loop, also in the 'Document Library' on this web page.

    Feedback from the community will be used to inform the management actions adopted. The Draft CMP (Stage 4) will be publicly exhibited for further community input before it is finalised in early 2024.

    Please provide your feedback by completing the Online Survey, reviewing and providing input on the Potential Management Actions developed for all estuaries, as well as the potential management actions for specific locations using the Online Map.

    Having trouble using the online map?

    You can also provide your feedback via email to the Coastal Management Team – coastal.management@shoalhaven.nsw.gov.au or by calling Council on 1300 293 111.

    Take a look at the proposed management actions based on the following themes:

    Please provide your feedback by completing the Online Survey by 5pm, Monday 31 July 2023.

  • Stage 3 Survey Out Now - We Need Your Input

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    The Sussex Inlet, St Georges Basin, Swan Lake and Berrara Creek Coastal Management Programs (CMP) are now progressing through to Stage 3. In this stage, a list of Potential Management Actions has been developed for consideration. We are asking the community to provide feedback and suggestions on the proposed management actions. These potential management actions have been developed following consultation with both community and government stakeholders and based on technical studies undertaken during Stage 2 of the CMP process.

    If you provided feedback during Stage 2, you can see how your comments were considered in developing the management actions in Stage 2 - Closing the Loop, also in the 'Document Library' on this web page.

    Feedback from the community will be used to inform the management actions adopted. The Draft CMP (Stage 4) will be publicly exhibited for further community input before it is finalised in early 2024.

    Please provide your feedback by completing the Online Survey, reviewing and providing input on the Potential Management Actions developed for all estuaries, as well as the potential management actions for specific locations using the Online Map.

    Having trouble using the online map?

    You can also provide your feedback via email to the Coastal Management Team – coastal.management@shoalhaven.nsw.gov.au or by calling Council on 1300 293 111.

    Take a look at the proposed management actions based on the following themes:

    Please provide your feedback by 5pm, Friday 21 July 2023.

  • 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 Sussex Inlet, St George Basin, Swan Lake and Berrara Creek CMP, and Council is optimistic to have them all completed by early 2023. Council held a successful workshop with state agencies to consult and discuss potential management actions for Stage 3 of the CMP, which are now refined by the Project Team. Once this process is completed, an online platform will be used to present and consult the proposed management actions from February 2023 with the community.

    The CMP Project Team is wishing everyone a Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays. Council looks forward to continue working with the community on the Sussex Inlet, St George Basin, Swan Lake and Berrara Creek CMP in 2023.

  • Stage 2 Update

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    You may have noticed Council's environmental experts on the water, at Sussex Inlet, St Georges Basin, Swan Lake and Berrara Creek, undertaking consultation and assessing the conditions of the foreshore.

    The Coastal Management Program (CMP) Stage 2 studies that are nearing completion involved several investigations, including:

    • bank erosion survey and analysis
    • coastal and tidal Inundation modelling for various future climate scenarios
    • boating and navigation study to determine the main concerns, issues and threats for our community and its visitors
    • water quality and estuary health analysis
    • community consultation and surveys to further understands any gaps in the categories above that may have missed previously

    Using this information, as well as your valuable input, Council's environmental experts, and environmental consultants, are undertaking the final review stages to start preparing a summary report for Stage 2 of the CMP. The report will provide new knowledge on risks for the Sussex Inlet, St.Georges Basin, Swan Lake and Berrara Creek area resulting from not only coastal and tidal inundation, sea level rise, bank erosion, entrance management and water quality studies but also integrated with the communities knowledge and concerns.

    The Stage 2 summary report will be used for Stage 3 to inform and develop management actions to mitigate risks and prepare our coastal use areas along the Sussex Inlet, St.Georges Basin, Swan Lake and Berrara Creek area.

    What to expect next...

    Once the range of management actions have been prepared, the opportunity for community feedback on Stage 3 will be provided to share your thoughts on the range of drafted management actions for your local area.

  • Successful Community Workshops

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    Thank you to the community members for their attendance and participation in the workshops for the Sussex Inlet, St Georges Basin, Swan Lake and Berrara Creek Coastal Management Programs on the 15 and 16 March 2022.

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

    The information captured will help inform and shape the development of these Coastal Management Programs which will provide a strategic frameworks for the next 10 years.

    If you were unable to attend a session, you can still have your say through our Interactive Map.

    Input through the mapping tool closes on Tuesday, 5 April 2022.

  • Workshop Registrations

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    Workshop registrations have now closed.

    If you would still like to attend please contact Nigel Smith via email nigel.smith@shoalhaven.nsw.gov.au or call 02 4429 5501.

    Stage 2 Community Workshops and Information Drop-in sessions for the Sussex Inlet, St Georges Basin, Swan Lake and Berrara Creek Coastal Management Programs (CMPs) will be held on Tuesday 15 and Wednesday 16 March 2022.

    Registration will close on 7 March 2022 - Register now as places are limited! Please note if workshops reach capacity, you may be asked to attend an additional workshop which will be scheduled if required.

    Information Drop-in sessions will be run immediately following the workshops where community members can discuss the CMP with Council - all are welcome, no registration is required.

    Date: Tuesday 15 March 2022
    Where: Erowal Bay Public Hall, 19 King George St, Erowal Bay
    Time: Workshop 4:30-6:00pm (registration essential), Information Drop-In Session 6:30-7:30pm (no registration required - all welcome)

    Date: Wednesday 16 March 202
    Where: Sussex Inlet Community Centre, 21 Thomson Street, Sussex Inlet
    Time: Workshop 4:30-6:00pm (registration essential), Information Drop-In Session 6:30-7:30pm (no registration required - all welcome)

    Please complete the Registration Form to secure your place.

  • Workshops Expressions of Interest

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    Thank you for your feedback. please register for one of the workshops being held on 15 and 16 March 2022 through the online registration form published on this web page.

    Stage 2 Community Workshops for the Sussex Inlet, St Georges Basin, Swan Lake and Berrara Creek CMP are being held in March 2022.

    Please register your Expression of Interest (EOI) to attend the workshop by completing the Online Workshop EOI Form by 23 February 2022.

  • New Interactive Map Feature

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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 and use the categorised marker pins provided to make a comment about:

    • issues, problems or concerns that you are aware of in the St. Georges Basin, Sussex Inlet, Swan Lake and Berrara Creek Coastal 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.

  • Watch Short Video to Learn About the Program

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    Take a look at our short video explaining what you need to know about the Sussex Inlet, St Georges Basin, Swan Lake and Berrara Creek Coastal Management Program (CMP).

    The video outlines:

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



Page last updated: 27 Feb 2024, 11:54 AM