The CMP will establish a long-term strategy for managing our coastline and coastal waterways. It will identify the key issues and risks affecting our coastal zone - both now and into the future - and outline a 10-year program of actions Council will take to address these challenges and support the coast’s ongoing adaptation in a changing world.

These actions will help safeguard the natural beauty, ecological health, and cultural values of our coast, ensuring it remains a place for people and nature to thrive for generations to come.

A CMP considers current coastal conditions, as well as historic and potential future events related to population growth, climate change and the environment. CMP’s identify coastal management issues and the actions required to address these issues in a strategic and integrated way. It will also detail how and when those actions will be implemented, the cost, and funding mechanisms.

CMPs are developed in accordance with the Coastal Management Program Legislation and guided by the NSW State Government's Coastal Management Manual.

Previously, Council was guided by the Coastal Zone Management Plan (CZMP) 2018 to provide direction for management of the open coast (excluding estuaries). This expired in December of 2023.

In 2018, the NSW Coastal Management Act 2016 commenced. Under this new Act, coastal councils are required to prepare Coastal Management Programs to replace the old coastal zone management plans and estuary management plans.

We are bow starting Stage 3.

This stage is all about hearing from the community. We want to know your priorities for the CMP. During the engagement period, we will be undertaking a series of "drop-in" style informaiton session and feedback opportunities. As well as an online survey hosted on this page. These spaces are your opportunity to share your feedback and inform the final CMP.

Stay involved in the CMP by clicking the yellow +Follow button at the top of this page and participating in our drop-in session or online engagement happening in March 2026.

This participation will help shape and prioritise management options by allowing Council to understand the community's priorities.

This stage involves a range of technical studies to deepen our understanding of coastal issues and support future planning.

Studies of the Open Coastline
• Open Coast Geotechnical Study Update
• Open Coast Beach Erosion Hazard Study
• Aboriginal Coastal Cultural Values Study
• Open Coast Risk Assessment Summary

Studies of Elliott Lake
• Estuary Health Condition Assessment
• Vegetation Mapping and Bank Erosion Assessment
• Physical Processes and Sea Level Rise Vulnerability Study
• Engineering Condition Assessment of rock armoured coastal structures
• Elliott Lake Risk Assessment Summary

View the completed studies here.

Using the findings from Stage 2, Council has developed a list of more than 60 potential management actions to address key coastal issues and explore future opportunities.

Stage 3 places the community at the centre of this process. Community insight and stakeholder feedback will play a critical role in assessing and prioritising these options. Participation is encouraged through both online engagement and scheduled drop‑in sessions, ensuring the community’s voice informs the future direction of coastal management.