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Estuaries in NSW

Arrawarra Creek
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[Image of Estuary] Arrawarra Creek
Shape, Size and Scale of Estuary

Estuary Type

Creek

Estuary Characteristics

Area Catchment 20 km2
Waterway Area 0.2 km2
Entrance Characteristics Intermittently open and untrained
Location (Lat-Long) 30.058S ,  153.198E
Distance (from Sydney) 590 km North
Summary of Available Data Data Pages

Physical Features

Town of Arrawarra is located at the entrance. A large proportion of the catchment comprises steeply sloped terrain. The approximate length of the river is 5 km, the downstream 3 km being navigable for shallow draft boats.

Significant Estuarine Tributaries

Arrawarra Creek

Population and Holiday Centres

Arrawarra

Special Attributes

General

  • Sheltered recreational waters.

Estuarine Vegetation

The spatial data is reproduced from NSW Fisheries(2006/7) studies, whilst the species makeup is from the West et al.(1985). This map shows the spatial extent of the Estuarine Vegetation.

Type Area Species 1
(km2)
Mangroves 0.010 unknown
Seagrass 0.001 z
Saltmarsh 0.010

References

R.J. Williams, G. West, D. Morrison and R.G. Creese, (2006),
"Estuarine Resources of New South Wales",
prepared for the Comprehensive Coastal Assessment (DoP) by the NSW Department of Primary Industries, Port Stephens.

R.J. West, C.A. Thorogood, T.R. Walford and R.J. Williams. (1985).
"An Estuarine Inventory for New South Wales, Australia".
Fisheries Bulletin 2. Department of Agriculture, New South Wales.

Estuary Commerce

fishing

Management Issues

This estuary falls in the area covered by Northern Rivers Catchment Management Authority.

Arrawarra Creek

Current Situation

Arrawarra Creek is managed by Coffs Harbour City Council via its Coastal/Estuary Management Committee that allows community input into the management of all its estuaries. An issue of concern with Arrawarra Creek is the sedimentation along the estuary. Storms occasionally dump huge quantities of kelp from offshore beds into the entrance of Arrawarra Creek. This kelp mixed with sand effectively closes the entrance for long periods. Over summer this can lead to extreme low water quality in Arrawarra Creek.

An Arrawarra Community Working Group was formed under the Coastal/Estuary Management Committee to oversee the preparation of an interim entrance management strategy for Arrawarra Creek. The plan was completed late 2001. The recommendation of the strategy includes mechanical removal of a sand and kelp blockage of the entrance once key triggers detailed in the strategy are activated.

The Estuary Management Process 2

Process Status Date
Form Estuary Management Committee (EMC) completed
Assemble Existing Data none
Carryout Process Study none
Carryout Estuary Management Study none
Draft Estuary Management Plan none
Review Estuary Management Plan none
Implement Estuary Management Plan none
Monitor and Review Estuary Management Process none

Contact Details

Coffs Harbour City Council Martin Rose
Ph (02) 6648 4421

References

Local Government Areas

Coffs Harbour

NSW 1:25000 Map Name(s)

Woolgoolga