COASTAL MANAGEMENT PROGRAMS
The purpose of a CMP is to set the long-term strategy for the coordinated management of the coastal zone of a given area, with a focus on achieving coastal management objectives at a local level whilst, also achieving the objects of the CM Act. It provides an opportunity for councils, public authorities and local communities to clearly identify and balance competing interests and priorities in the coastal zone.
A CMP is prepared through a five staged risk management process described in the NSW Coastal Management Manual. This process is intended to help councils and their communities to identify and manage risks to the environmental, social and economic values of the coast. The Manual that sets forth mandatory requirements for CMP’s, but also provides guidance regarding their preparation, development, adoption, implementation, and review.
A Scoping Study is the first stage of the CMP Process. The primary purpose of a Stage 1 Scoping Study is to review the history of managing the coastal zone; develop a shared understanding of the current situation; and identify the focus of the CMP.
Stage 1 builds on and integrates with previous work, including existing plans and strategies, technical studies and stakeholder input. It guides Partner Councils in formulating appropriate strategies and actions in later stages of the process (Stages 2 to 5).
BENEFITS OF A WHOLE OF CMP
The collaborative approach will bring several benefits to partner councils, government agencies, stakeholders and the health of the river system. Some benefits include:
• a consistent, sustainable and strategic approach to the management of the Hawkesbury-Nepean River system that enables everyone’s priority objectives to be considered
• the opportunity to address issues independently of jurisdictional boundaries
• efficiency savings through economies of scale and the reduced duplication of studies, monitoring effort and community engagement
• establishment of a framework for interagency co-ordination in particular between local and state government agencies
• the ability to develop a framework for interagency co-ordination
• development of a platform to address catchment-related issues impacting on the social, economic and environmental values of the Hawkesbury system
NSW Coastal Management Framework
In order to plan for development, protect environmental assets and manage coastal hazards across the state, The NSW Government has implemented the NSW Coastal Management Framework, which includes new legislation and planning policy - and aims to provide an integrated framework for coastal management across the state. Central to the framework is the:
Coastal Management State Environmental Planning Policy 2018
The advent of Coastal Management Programs
The NSW Coastal Management Manual
WORKING TOGETHER
A great deal of planning and research has been undertaken in the Hawkesbury River System throughout the years. Up to now the river has often been managed in a segmented approach to address locally specific issues or through estuary management and other plans across smaller sections of river that align with local council areas.
The first plans were developed in the mid 1990s for the Berowra and Brisbane Water catchments. Other plans followed for Pittwater and Brooklyn area.
In 2006 the Lower Hawkesbury Estuary Management Plan started its development through the partnership of the two councils that managed this area: Hornsby Shire Council and Central Coast Council, formerly named Gosford City Council. This partnership and the combined plan led to the coordinated management of a section of the lower estuary.
Then in 2014 the Upper Hawkesbury River Estuary Coastal Zone Management Plan was completed.
The efficiencies achieved, learnings from this collaborative approach and appreciation that issues needed to be managed on a larger scale have led to the establishment of this 6-council partnership across the tidal areas of the Hawkesbury-Nepean River system
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Coastal Management Program?
Coastal Management Programs (CMP) set the long-term strategy for the management of our coastal environments including our estuaries, lagoons, beaches and their associated catchments. CMPs are prepared by local councils in accordance with the NSW Government Coastal Management Framework. CMP’s will replace existing Estuary & Coastal Zone Management Plans which were prepared under previous legislation. The process of the CMP requires:
Stage 1: Identify the scope of the CMP
Stage 2: Determine risks, vulnerabilities and opportunities
Stage 3: Identify and evaluate options
Stage 4: Prepare, exhibit, finalise, certify and adopt the CMP
Stage 5: Implement, monitor, evaluate and report
Why do we need another plan/program/strategy for the management of our waterways?
Our previous Estuary & Coastal Zone Management Plans for the Hawkesbury River System including Brisbane Water were prepared in accordance with the Coastal Protection Act (1979) which was repealed in 2018 and replaced by the Coastal Management Act (2016). As a result of this, the existing plans will cease to be recognised by the end of 2021 and will need to be replaced with Coastal Management Programs prepared in accordance with new legislation. Further to this, both existing Management Plans and future CMP’s require review and update at regular intervals/ at least every 10 years to ensure currency and to reflect on achievements and challenges in implementation.
What is the Coastal Zone?
The NSW Coastal Zone is defined in the Coastal Management Act comprising 4 distinct coastal management areas:
coastal wetlands and littoral rainforests area
coastal vulnerability area
coastal environment area
coastal use area.
Each of these management areas has specific objectives reflecting their different values to coastal communities. The Coastal Management State Environmental Planning Policy (CM SEPP) identifies and maps the coastal zone and establishes specific planning controls for each area. Click here to view mapped areas
Do Coastal Management Programs include the broader catchment area or just the water?
Our CMP’s consider all physical, biological and chemical processes occurring throughout the catchment which can impact on the health of the waterbodies. The CMP’s will include management actions to address major threats & issues in the catchments.
Who is responsible for developing Coastal Management Programs?
Coastal management programs are prepared by local councils in accordance with the coastal management manual and in consultation with their communities and relevant public authorities. Following completion of the CMP and endorsement by Council and other relevant authorities, they will be sent to the Minister for Local Government for official certification
What will the Coastal Management Programs deliver for the community?
Coastal Management Programs identify coastal management issues and the actions required to address these issues in a strategic and integrated way. CMPs detail how and when those actions are to be implemented, their costs and proposed cost-sharing arrangements and other viable funding mechanisms
How can the community get involved in the development of the Coastal Management Programs?
Coastal Management Programs are developed in close collaboration/consultation with the community, a key output of the stage 1 scoping studies being a stakeholder and community engagement plan. Register your interest to be kept informed from the home page of this website. A number of committees will be created throughout the CMP process.