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NSW Coastal Management Program

DNR's Coastal Management Program aims to reduce the impact of coastal hazards, while accommodating population growth. The program has significantly improved the way our coastline is managed.

Coastal Management Committees, established by local councils, have been working in partnership with DNR and local communities to develop and implement coastal management plans. The functions of these plans include:

Identifying coastal hazards and developing measures to reduce the risks and impacts of coastal hazards in areas of existing development
Identifying and accommodating the impacts of climate change
Improving public access and amenity
Accommodating sustainable population growth and resource utilisation.

Under the program, the NSW Government provides a 50% subsidy to local government for:

Preparation of coastal studies and coastline management plans aimed at ensuring balanced long term management of the coastline;
Construction of works for the conservation and/or improvement of beaches and public reserves; and
Investigation, design and implementation of management measures and works to reduce potential damage from coastal processes in existing developed areas.

Technical assistance with the formulation of proposals is available through the Department of Natural Resources.

Coastal achievements

Some of the major projects funded through the Coastal Management Program in recent years include:

$2 million towards the preparation of management strategies that address systemic coastal hazard threat to development
$5 million towards improvement of recreational amenity and public access to many of the iconic beaches
$2 million towards the upgrading and improvement of degraded foreshores protection works
$1.5 million towards the stabilisation of the cliff face along Shortland Esplanade at Newcastle
$4 million towards the protection and recreational amenity enhancement works at Lady Robinson's Beach, Botany Bay.