The New South Wales Management Estuary Process

The New South Wales Estuary Management Process

The study is being undertaken in accordance with the NSW Governments Estuary Management Policy as outlined in the Estuary Management Manual (1992). The Estuary Management Policy is implemented through the following processes:

Establish an Estuary Management Committee
Assemble existing data

Undertake and Estuary Processes Study

Undertake an Estuary Management Study

Prepare a Draft Estuary Management Plan

Public & Government review of the Draft Plan

Adopt and Implement the Estuary Management Plan
Monitor and review the previous steps where necessary.

This current study relates to steps 3 to 6 of the above processes. Step 2 of the process was completed in November 1997 by Webb, McKeown & Associates in the form on The Wagonga Inlet Data Compilation Study.

The Study Team

Estuarine processes studies, management studies and the preparation of the management plan require a diverse range of expertise covering a number of disciplines that are not usually available within one organisation. ESC has commissioned a team of specialist consultants who are experts in the respective fields required to address each of the study components. The study team and their respective roles are outlined below:

Department of Public Works and Services, Manly Hydraulics Laboratory (MHL)

Project management, sedimentation, coastal processes and dredging feasibility, community consultation.

Environmental Sciences & Engineering Pty Ltd (ESE)

Hydrology and hydrodynamics, estuarine mixing, water and sediment quality.

The Ecology Lab Pty Ltd (TEL)

Aquatic and fringing terrestrial ecology, waterway usage.

Coastal & Marine Geosciences Pty Ltd (CMG)

Geology and geomorphology, erosion and sedimentation.

Nelson Consulting Pty Ltd (NC)

Planning, land and foreshore usage, community consultation.

Study Objectives

The Estuary Processes Study aims to measure, develop an understanding of and document the various physical, chemical and biological processes of importance in Wagonga Inlet. Further, it aims to define the interactions between the processes and to assess human impacts upon them. The Estuary Management Study will utilise information detailed in the Data Compilation and Estuary Processes Study to:

identify the significance of the estuary in terms of broader coastal planning issues;
identify essential features or values of the estuary be they physical, chemical, biological, aesthetic, social or economic;
document current uses and conflict of use in the estuary;
identify possible future land uses and assess their impact on the essential features; and
assess the need for nature conservation, remedial measures and other strategies.

The development of the Management Plan will then be based on a sound understanding of the system. Performance towards the agreed outcomes of the plan may be measured against current baseline conditions.

Photo Gallery and Issues

An aerial view of Wagonga Inlet entrance channel. The entrance channel of Wagonga Inlet extends from the breakwaters at the entrance to the edge of the flood tide delta approximately 1 km upstream of the Princes Highway bridge. Some of the issues that have been identified with the entrance channel include shoaling which is restricting boat access to and from Forsters Bay, the marina and offshore fishing, diving and tourism destinations. The ocean entrance conditions, particularly the entrance bar is an issue of concern to recreational and commercial boat users.

Bank erosion in Burrimbidgee (Rats Head) Creek. Sedimentation in the upper reaches of the estuary and in Punkally Creek have identified as an issue. Catchment degradation from gold mining and development, bank erosion and oyster leases have been identified by the community as potential contributors to sedimentation.

Moorings near Mill Bay. Some of the issues that have been raised with respect to waterway usage include moorings and the lack of space at the town wharf for commercial and visiting recreational vessels, waterway and foreshore access and sedimentation near facilities in Forsters Bay and Mill Bay.

Aerial view of the Wagonga Inlet Estuary. The health of the estuary in general is intricately linked with quality of the water. While the water quality is generally considered good at present, potential causes for concern include development, logging and land clearing, unsewered residential development and sewer overflows. The degradation of aquatic and fringing ecosystems were identified as an important issue and an aspect of Wagonga Inlet that should be conserved and promoted.

Relevant Data and Live Updates

Eden and Batemans Bay offshore waverider buoys
Wagonga Inlet tides

Wagonga Inlet Estuary Management Bulletin Board

This bulletin board has been deactivated. Please mail comments, input or suggestions directly to:
Principle Engineer
Manly Hydraulics Laboratory
110b King Street
Manly Vale NSW 2093
Phone: 02 99490200 Fax: 02 99486185

Study Timetable:

The Estuary Processes Study is currently underway with a Draft scheduled for public comment in December 1999.

A draft version of the Estuary Management Plan is scheduled for public exhibition by August of 2000.

There will be a thorough program of community consultation during the management study and management plan phases of the investigation and dates and venues for these activities will be posted as they become available.