Coastal Program Sets Path for 10 Years of Action

Manager Environmental Systems Karen Partington at Redhead Beach - dune systems affected by storm events will be restored and re-vegetated under the draft.

A new draft strategy outlines more than 100 ‘priority actions’ over the next 10 years to manage Lake Macquarie’s coast and the shoreline of its lake and creeks.

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The draft Coastal Management Program outlines a vision for maintaining and nurturing a “healthy, resilient coastal zone”, including beaches, dunes, rock platforms, headlands and wetlands, the lake and its tributaries, and Swansea Channel.

Manager Environmental Systems Karen Partington said the 111 priority actions would help manage coastal hazards, such as erosion and sea level rises, which threatened coastal communities.

“They’re also aimed at improving the health of our coastal environments, maintaining access to coastal areas and engaging with the community on coastal issues,” she said.

Actions outlined in the draft document include:

· Stabilising Pelican foreshore to address ongoing erosion

· Revegetating, reshaping and restoring dunes after storm events

· Expanding lake health monitoring to include microplastics

· Continuing local adaptation planning in low-lying communities

Lake Macquarie Mayor Kay Fraser said the actions were intended to be funded by Council and the NSW Government.

“Having this Coastal Management Program in place means we will be eligible for funding via the NSW Government’s Coastal and Estuary Grants Program,” she said.

“This will play an important part in maintaining our coast and ensuring it remains a place for people to enjoy and for the environment to thrive.”

Go to shape.lakemac.com.au/coastal for more information and to provide feedback. The draft Coastal Management Program is on public exhibition until 3 February 2023.