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Estuaries in NSW

Brisbane Water
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Hawkesbury River Cockrone Lake
[Image of Estuary] Brisbane Water
Shape, Size and Scale of Estuary

Estuary Type

Lake

Estuary Characteristics

Area Catchment 170 km2
Waterway Area 27.2 km2
Entrance Characteristics Open and untrained
Location (Lat-Long) 33.523S ,  151.334E
Distance (from Sydney) 50 km North
Summary of Available Data Data Pages

Physical Features

A broad and shallow estuary with depths of generally 5 to 6 m in the main water body. Bottom sediments are principally sands and silts. The catchment includes the growing Gosford Area. Brisbane Water enters into Broken Bay.

Significant Estuarine Tributaries

Brisbane Water
Woy Woy Inlet
Narara Creek
The Broadwater
Kincumber Broadwater
Narara Creek

Population and Holiday Centres

Gosford
Woy Woy

Special Attributes

General

  • Significant recreational use for water-based activities, particularly boating and fishing.
  • Scenic focus for many suburbs of the City of Gosford.
  • A principal source of fresh oysters for Sydney.
  • Catchment contains parts of Brisbane Water and Bouddi National Parks.

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 1.782 av,ae
Seagrass 2.914 z,p,h
Saltmarsh 0.879

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, boating, tourism, sewage

Management Issues

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

Brisbane Water

Current Situation

Gosford City Council has formed the Gosford Coastal Management, Lagoon Management and Coastal Planning (CLP) Committee which also covers estuary management.

The committee is currently preparing to undertake an Estuary Process Study as a first stage of the preparation of a Management Plan for Brisbane Water.

The Estuary Management Process 2

Process Status Date
Form Estuary Management Committee (EMC) completed
Assemble Existing Data completed 2001
Carryout Process Study commenced 2003
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

Gosford City Council Peter Freewater
Ph (02) 4325 8222 Fax (02) 4323 2477

References

Local Government Areas

Gosford

NSW 1:25000 Map Name(s)

Gosford
Broken Bay