Coastal Management Program receives NSW Government tick of approval
Published on 28 August 2024
Council has received formal certification from the NSW Government for its Coastal Management Program (CMP) for the Open Coast and Jervis Bay Areas covering a 165km stretch of idyllic coastline.
The CMP provides the framework and strategy that will be used to manage the Shoalhaven’s coastlines and estuaries in the face of future climate risks. It outlines 116 management actions that are intended to address key issues and will be implemented over 10 years.
“We manage the largest stretch of coastline of any Council in NSW and this CMP will place Council in a long-term position to more appropriately manage our natural coastal assets for residents and visitors,” said Director City Development, James Ruprai.
The CMP was developed in line with the staged development process identified in the NSW Coastal Management Manual and Coastal Management Act 2016 and included technical studies and detailed assessments of coastal hazards and risks facing the Shoalhaven coastline.
Council has been commended for its approach to community engagement through the development of the CMP, which involved in-depth public consultation, broad exhibition, three targeted committees of local volunteers giving their time and expertise, geographically targeted in-person interactions, as well as new digital engagement methods to gain as much input as possible into its drafting.
“I would like to thank and congratulate our dedicated community committee members and Council staff for their tireless work to develop this program over the past two years, without whom we would not have reached this significant milestone,” Mr Ruprai said.
The CMP was adopted by Council on 6 May 2024 before it was submitted to the state for Ministerial review.
Council is now working to have the CMP published in the NSW Gazette to progress the implementation of the identified high-priority management actions.