Community feedback sought for Tweed Coast and Estuaries Coastal Management Program

July 16, 2023

Environment / Parks / Recreation / Tourism /

Community feedback is being sought by Tweed Shire Council to help inform the development of a new coastal management program to help preserve and protect the Tweed Coast and its estuaries.

A Tweed Coast and Estuaries Coastal Management Program will be progressed over the next 18 months, based on research and consultation with experts, stakeholders and community members.

The management program aims to address the challenges faced by the region’s coast and estuaries and will outline a framework to guide actions to help preserve the area for generations to come.

Council Manager Sustainability and Environment Jane Lofthouse said coastal management was the planned, strategic management of coastal areas which takes into account social, economic and ecological systems and values.

Lofthouse advised "we are at the early stages of developing a Coastal Management Program (CMP) for the Tweed Coast and estuaries.

"This means we are building our understanding of what our community loves about the coast, what they would change and their ideas for the future."

In 2019, a scoping study was undertaken and was the first of five stages in the CMP process. The scoping study reviewed the history of managing the coastal zone and developed a shared understanding of the current situation to identify the focus of Council's new CMPs.

The scoping study defined that a total of three CMPs would be developed for the different geographical areas of Tweed Coastal Zone: the Tweed River Estuary, the Cobaki and Terranora Broadwaters and the Tweed Coast and Coastal Estuaries.

Of these, the Tweed River Estuary CMP was completed in late 2022 and gazetted on 3rd February 2023 while the Cobaki and Terranora Broadwater CMP 2011 remains active.

The NSW Government requires that the Tweed Coast and Estuaries Coastal Management Program considers risks and vulnerabilities relating to:

beach erosion
shoreline recession
coastal lake or watercourse entrance instability
coastal inundation
coastal cliff or slope instability
tidal inundation
erosion and inundation of foreshores caused by tidal waters and the action of waves, including the interaction of those waters with catchment floodwaters.

Lofthouse said coastal areas and estuaries were invaluable natural resources that supported diverse habitats, provide economic opportunities and offer recreational spaces for local communities.

"We recognise the need for a proactive approach to coastal management and will aim to develop a robust plan that addresses the challenges and opportunities associated with our coastal areas," she said.

"We are calling on local communities, businesses and residents to actively participate in providing their feedback on coastal conservation and stewardship to inform the development of this plan.

"We want the CMP to reflect the interests of the community. This includes all those who use, care for, and rely upon our coastal areas. To help us make informed decisions, it's important to understand what the community loves about the coast, and where there might be concerns or challenges."

A community survey is open until 31st October to gather community feedback. It can be taken online, or hard copies are available from Council offices. There will also be a range of opportunities for face-to-face community consultation over the coming months. Full details will be made available on the Your Say Tweed website, Council's online community engagement platform and promoted in the Tweed Link.

Image. Tweed Coast and Estuaries. Credit: Tweed Shire Council

29th March 2023 - Tweed Shire Council develops sport and recreation strategy

2nd March 2023 - Tweed section of the northern NSW rail trail opens

14th September 2022 - Draft concept plans for new youth recreation area at Tweed Heads open for feedback

10th June 2021 - Tweed Regional Museum secures national award for exhibition celebrating inclusivity

5th May 2021 - Tweed Shire steps up renewable energy program

3rd May 2023 - Sand replenishment to buffer erosion at popular Sunshine Coast beaches

6th September 2022 - Western Australian coastal erosion projects to share in almost $4 million State Government funding

24th September 2021 - Community input invited on Shoalhaven Heads erosion prevention strategies

18th August 2021 - Shoalhaven Council receives funding to combat coastal erosion

20th October 2020 - Cairns Council moves to combat Holloways Beach erosion

24th August 2020 - Fremantle’s Port Beach to be protected from coastal erosion

26th May 2020 - Victoria’s coastline to be protected against erosion

5th May 2020 - Work commences to prevent erosion along foreshore of South West Rocks Surf Life Saving Club

15th April 2020 - Fremantle’s Port Beach protected from erosion

21st February 2020 - Bass Coast Rail Trail impacted by erosion

16th November 2019 - Cairns Regional Council seeks funding to address beach erosion

Support our industry news service
We hope that you value the news that we publish so while you're here can we ask for your support?

As an independent publisher, we need reader support for our industry news gathering so ask that - if you don't already do so - you back us by subscribing to the printed Australasian Leisure Management magazine and/or our online news.