FAQs

The Saltwater Creek and Lagoon estuary is a major asset for the Macleay Region. The estuary provides important natural habitats and ecosystems, opportunities for recreation, and areas of social and cultural significance. However, it is facing increasing pressures from urbanisation, population growth and climate change. 

In order to tackle this, Kempsey Shire Council is commencing the process of developing a Coastal Management Program (CMP) for the estuary. The program will be prepared in line with the NSW Government Coastal Management Framework, a recent initiative by the NSW Government to equip communities to respond to the challenges facing the state’s coastline and estuaries. 

The new CMP for the estuary will update and replace the existing estuary management plan from 2006. The CMP will include extensive engagement with the local community and user groups, and relevant government agencies. 

To set the long-term strategy for the coordinated management of the estuary. It will identify and implement management actions designed to improve estuary health and manage the current and emerging issues facing the estuary.

It is an opportunity for local communities, councils, and public authorities to come together and identify and balance competing interests and priorities in the estuary and its catchment

A CMP is prepared through a five staged risk management process. 

Stage 1  - Identify the Scope of the CMP (what we are doing right now) 

Stage 2  - Determine risks, vulnerabilities and opportunities (expected to be done later in 2020)

Stage 3  - Identify and evaluate options 

Stage 4  - Draft and finalise a CMP

Stage 5 - Implement, monitor and evaluate the CMP

Stage 1 - Scoping Study  

which involves:

• A review of the current estuary management arrangements, and effectiveness of the existing management estuary management plan: https://www.kempsey.nsw.gov.au/environment/estuary-management/saltwater-creek-estuary.html
• Identification of key issues facing the estuary (including emerging issues such as new development pressures and climate change) 
• Development of a Stakeholder & Community Engagement Strategy for the CMP
• Plan for the remaining stages

It is estimated that the CMP will take around 12 to 24 months to progress through Stages 2 through to 4. The fifth and final stage will involve the ongoing implementation of the program over a 10-year period thereafter.