Waterways are a huge part of the Central Coast community’s lifestyle. They underpin our identity, support our local economy, provide recreational and social opportunities for locals and visitors and support our mental and physical wellbeing. They provide the water we drink and the air we breathe, and our health is as dependant on them as theirs is on us. In addition to the values and benefits Central Coast Waterways offer us, they are important in their own right and have significant ecological and intrinsic value which should be managed both now, and into the future.

Planning for a Resilient Coast – Together

Central Coast Council is developing five Coastal Management Programs (CMPs) to guide the long-term, sustainable management of our coastal environments. These programs are mandated under the NSW Coastal Management Act 2016 and align with the NSW Coastal Management Framework, ensuring that our coastlines, lakes, lagoons, estuaries, and beaches are protected and enhanced for future generations.

Our Five CMPs:

• Tuggerah Lakes
• Open Coast
• Coastal Lagoons
• Hawkesbury-Nepean River & Brisbane Water
• Lake Macquarie (completed in collaboration with Lake Macquarie City Council)

These new management programs will be valid for 10 years and replace various previous management plans which are now out of date. The process of re-doing these programs every 10 years is not only a NSW State Government requirement, but something we believe is important to ensure our projects reflect the latest advances in technology and ecology, and account for changes in the pressures and desires of our community.

🧭 The CMP Development Process

The CMP process is structured into five distinct stages, each designed to ensure a thorough, evidence-based, and community-informed approach to coastal management.

Stage 1: Scoping Study

This foundational stage identifies the scope, context, and key issues for each CMP. It includes:

• Strategic context analysis (environmental, social, economic, cultural)
• Identification of coastal management areas and issues
• Review of existing management arrangements
• Initial stakeholder and community engagement
• First-pass risk assessment
• Preliminary business case
• Planning for future stages

✅ Completed for all CMPs

Stage 2: Investigations and Studies

This stage involves technical and scientific investigations to fill knowledge gaps identified in Stage 1. It includes:

• Coastal hazard studies (erosion, inundation, cliff instability)
• Mapping of assets and vulnerable areas
• Ecological and water quality assessments
• Socioeconomic and cultural value studies
• Detailed risk assessments using national standards (AS/NZS ISO 31000)

✅ Completed for all CMPs

Stage 3: Options Evaluation and Drafting

This stage focuses on evaluating management options and drafting the CMP. It includes:

• Identification and comparison of potential management actions
• Cost-benefit and feasibility analysis
• Drafting of CMP documents including business plans and emergency action subplans
• Continued stakeholder and community engagement

🔄 Currently underway for:

• Tuggerah Lakes
• Coastal Lagoons
• Hawkesbury-Nepean River & Brisbane Water

Stage 4: Finalisation and Certification

This stage involves finalising the CMP and submitting it for Ministerial certification. It includes:

• Public exhibition of the draft CMP
• Incorporation of community and stakeholder feedback
• Final revisions and approvals
• Integration with Council’s Integrated Planning and Reporting (IP&R) framework

🔄 Currently underway for:

• Open Coast

Stage 5: Implementation and Monitoring

The final stage focuses on delivering the actions outlined in the CMP. It includes:

• Implementation through Council’s IP&R and land-use planning systems
• Ongoing monitoring, evaluation, and reporting
• Review and update every 10 years

🔄 Currently underway for:

• Lake Macquarie

👥 Community Engagement

Community engagement is a cornerstone of the CMP process. Council is committed to culturally safe, inclusive, and transparent engagement practices.

Phase One Engagement Summary

Conducted from 30 March to 15 June 2021, the first phase of engagement aimed to understand community values, concerns, and priorities regarding waterways.

Engagement Activities:

• Online survey with 1,168 responses
• 3,918 visits to the Your Voice Our Coast project page
• 14 social media ads reaching over 62,000 users
• Google ads generating over 815,000 impressions
• 3 focus groups with over 20 participants
• 400+ community members reached at pop-up events
• 500+ postcards distributed
• 220+ stakeholder emails sent

Key Survey Findings:

• 94.5% said waterways are a significant reason they live on the Central Coast
• 98% said waterways contribute to personal health and wellbeing
• 96.5% support enhanced protection of natural waterway features
• 69.2% support increased funding for waterway management, even with a small rate increase
• Top values: recreational access, natural beauty, environmental health
• Top priorities: reducing pollutants, improving water quality, restoring habitats

View the Our Coast, Our Waterways survey results here.

All further stages of consultation are being undertaken specific to each of the 5 CMPs. Please use the tabs at the top of this page to navigate to each for further details.