The Draft Plan of Management for Bevans Island was on public exhibition from 24 February 2022 - 7 April 2022. This Draft Plan of Management has been adopted following exhibition with no submissions being received.

Bevans Island is located off Reddall Parade, Lake Illawarra and is a Crown reserve set aside for public recreation. It is a bushland island that is accessible by boat, swimming or at low tide by foot. It contains Coastal Saltmarsh and Freshwater Wetlands. The reserve has been identified as environmentally sensitive land and Aboriginal shell middens have been found on the island.

The reserve is categorised as Natural Area - Bushland and is currently used for fishing and other recreational activities.

The Local Government Act 1993 sets out key objectives of the draft plan of management, which include:

(a) to conserve biodiversity and maintain ecosystem function in respect of the land, or the feature or habitat in respect of which the land is categorised as a natural area, and

(b) to maintain the land, or that feature or habitat, in its natural state and setting, and

(c) to provide for the restoration and regeneration of the land, and

(d) to provide for community use of and access to the land in such a manner as will minimise and mitigate any disturbance caused by human intrusion.

At the Ordinary Council Meeting on 8 June 2021, Council resolved to place the Draft Plan of Management for Bevans Island on public exhibition subject to receiving endorsement from the Department of Planning and Environment. The endorsement has now been received.

The submission period for feedback is from 24 February until 4.00pm on 7 April 2022. Feedback and submissions will be considered before being formally adopted by Council.