Coast and Estuary Management
Port Macquarie-Hastings Council plays and important role in the management of the Hastings, Camden Haven and Lake Cathie/Innes estuaries and the coastal zone of the region.
This responsibility is implemented through Estuary Management Plans for each waterway and specific Coastal Management Plans, such as the Town Beach Coastal Management Plan.
Implementation of these plans is carried out in consultation with the Port Macquarie-Hastings Coast and Estuaries Committee, which is made up of members from the community and key natural resource management agencies.
Key management issues include:
- Monitoring estuary and marine health through water quality monitoring and biological monitoring programs
- Implementation of riverbank erosion stabilisation works
- Implementation of coastal erosion management works
- Foreshore vegetation management
- Acid Sulfate soils management
For a hard copy of any of the following documents, please fill in the Request Form below:
- Town Beach Coastal Management Plan
- Hastings River Estuary Management Plan
- Camden Haven River Estuary Management Plan
- Lake Cathie/Innes Estuary Management Plan
- Lake Cathie Opening Strategy
Estuary Management Works
The following are examples of estuary management works implemented by Council with funding support from the Department of Natural Resources and the Northern Rivers Catchment Management Authority.
Riverbank stabilisation in the Camden Haven River Estuary
Before (below left): Riverbank erosion along Stingray Creek, Henry Kendall Reserve
After (below right): Stabilised riverbank following restoration works in 2004
Estuary bank erosion remediation work carried out at Bunny's corner at North Haven in 2006
Estuary bank erosion remediation work carried out opposite 'the Horse Paddock' at Dunbogan in 2006
Riverbank stabilisation in the Hastings River Estuary
Before (below): Severe riverbank erosion in the Hastings River estuary near the Dennis Bridge, Port Macquarie
After (below): Installation of rock fillet protection works and mangrove seedling planting in 2006
Acid Sulphate Soils
The management of acid sulphate soil is an important estuary related issue.
Click here for information on acid sulphate soils - Acid Sulphate Soils
Coastal Management Works
The following are examples of coastal management works implemented by Council with funding support from the Department of Natural Resources and the Northern Rivers Catchment Management Authority.
Before (below): Coastal erosion at Town Beach in 2005
After (below): Rock protection works completed in 2006
Lake Cathie Coastal Zone Management Plan - Hazard Study
Council, in partnership with the NSW Department of Environment & Climate Change, is currently preparing a Coastal Zone Management Plan for Lake Cathie. The first stage of the process is the preparation of a Hazard Study which will identify risks associated with coastal erosion and inform the preparation of a Management Plan. The Hazard Study and Technical Appendices can be downloaded below:
Dredging Strategy
The estuaries of the Port Macquarie-Hastings local government area are iconic natural features that are vital to the area, supporting a diverse range of social, economic and environmental values.
The estuaries of the Hastings area include the Hastings River, the Camden Haven River and Lake Cathie (an intermittently closed/open lake).
Management of these estuaries is guided by Estuary Management Plans prepared in consultation with the community, relevant agencies and adopted by Council. The co-ordination of dredging activities is one aspect within the EMPs Council is responsible for.
The Port Macquarie-Hastings Council Dredging Strategy seeks to clarify future dredging requirements for each estuary and to set a strategic direction for managing dredging within the Hastings area.
Why is river dredging necessary?
The principle needs for river dredging are:
- To maintain channels for the purpose of navigation
- To maintain tidal flow in estuarine waters
Dredging Objectives
The dredging philosophy that forms the corner stone of Council's strategy is based upon maintaining the long-term sustainability of our estuaries.
The following objectives have been identified to guide the implementation of the strategy.
- The purpose of dredging is for the maintenance of navigation and tidal flows.
- Dredging needs to reflect best environmental practise.
- Dredging needs to minimise impacts on the overall sediment budget for each estuary.
- Dredging needs to minimise impacts on the aquatic environment.
Download a copy of Port Macquarie-Hastings Council's Dredging Strategy
Dredging Strategy 2007.pdf (1.41MB)
