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Estuaries in NSW

Bellinger River
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[Image of Estuary] Bellinger River
Shape, Size and Scale of Estuary

Estuary Type

River

Estuary Characteristics

Area Catchment 1110 km2
Waterway Area 6.8 km2
Entrance Characteristics Open and trained
Location (Lat-Long) 30.502S ,  153.032E
Distance (from Sydney) 530 km North
Summary of Available Data Data Pages

Physical Features

The town of Urunga is located at the entrance. The estuary comprises two main rivers, the Bellinger River and the Kalang River. The combined tidal discharge through the entrance is in the order of six million cubic metres on each ebb and flood spring tide. Tidal influence extends as far upstream as Bellingen (approximately 20 km) on the Bellinger River, and Brierfield (approximately 15 km) on the Kalang River. The approximate length of the more prominent Bellinger River is 80 km.

Significant Estuarine Tributaries

Bellinger River
Kalang River
Urunga Lagoon
Back Creek

Population and Holiday Centres

Mylestrom
Raleigh
Urunga
Bellingen

Special Attributes

General

  • The tourist population doubles to almost 10,000 during peak holiday periods.
  • New England and Dorrigo National Parks cover 25% of the catchment area.
  • The rivers comprising this estuary are navigable by small craft to near the tidal limit of the two river arms.
  • Small commercial fish and crustacea producing estuary.
  • Good amateur fishing along the southern training wall near the caravan park.

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 1.172 av,ae
Seagrass 0.133 z
Saltmarsh 0.143

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, oyster, extraction, sewage

Management Issues

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

Bellinger River

Current Situation

Bellingen Shire Council has formed an Estuary Management Committee to allow community input into the management of the Bellinger/Kalang Rivers. A process study has been completed and a management study proposed to commence late 2004.

The Estuary Management Process 2

Process Status Date
Form Estuary Management Committee (EMC) completed
Assemble Existing Data completed 2000
Carryout Process Study completed 2003
Carryout Estuary Management Study commenced 2004
Draft Estuary Management Plan none
Review Estuary Management Plan none
Implement Estuary Management Plan none
Monitor and Review Estuary Management Process none

Contact Details

Bellingen Council Mike Edsell
Ph (02) 6655 7300

References

Local Government Areas

Bellingen

NSW 1:25000 Map Name(s)

Raleigh
Bellingen
Missabotti
Wenonah Head