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Home > Coastal and floodplains > Estuaries

Estuaries in NSW

In April 2007, the Department of Environment and Climate Change NSW assumed responsibility for the programs outlined in this section of the site.

Our estuaries represent a priceless natural resource. Estuaries are places of transition – where water from the land meets and mixes with the open sea. They are generally found at the end of rivers and may be large systems, like the Hawkesbury and Richmond Rivers, or small systems like the Narrabeen lagoon (What are Estuaries?).

Estuaries are often referred to as the “nurseries of the sea” because they are the breeding grounds for many fish, crustaceans, and other marine life. (Why should we protect Estuaries?)

NSW has more than 130 estuaries of varying sizes that are of immense environmental, social and economic importance. They all contain diverse ecosystems that support vegetation, wildlife, and the coastal food chain. Estuaries contribute about $400 million every year to the NSW economy, and are drawcards for tourism and development. (Why are Estuaries important?)

However, concern is growing about the impact that increasing population and development is having on our estuaries. Habitat degradation, declining water quality, resource depletion, loss of amenity, and restricted access are just some of the issues of concern to local communities. (Major Issues facing Estuaries.)

Nutrients, sediments and toxins that originate within a catchment as a result of urbanisation, agricultural activities, vegetation clearing and industry, eventually end up in an estuary affecting the water quality and estuarine ecosystem. In this way estuaries are the report cards of the catchments.

Dams and water extraction for irrigation and water supplies, alters the hydrology of estuaries and may lead to increasing sedimentation, closed entrances, altered freshwater flows and changes in tidal flushing. These changes can have profound impacts on estuarine and coastal ecosystems.

DNR works with local councils and other bodies to protect, improve and manage our estuary resources through the development of Estuary Management Plans.

Discussion of estuary response and behaviour in relation to the physical, chemical and biological influences and other important aspects are available in the Factsheets Section.

The major characteristics and summaries of the current knowledge base for the Major Estuaries of NSW are also presented.