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Estuaries in NSW

Burrill Lake
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Tabourie Lake Narrawallee Inlet
[Image of Estuary] Burrill Lake
Shape, Size and Scale of Estuary

Estuary Type

Lake

Estuary Characteristics

Area Catchment 78 km2
Waterway Area 4.1 km2
Entrance Characteristics Generally open and untrained
Location (Lat-Long) 35.395S ,  150.447E
Distance (from Sydney) 240 km South
Summary of Available Data Data Pages

Physical Features

Located a few kilometres south of Ulladulla, Burrill Lake is not unlike Conjola (12 km north) in layout and dimension, having two distinct basins, with approximately a 3 km long inlet channel connecting the basins to the ocean. The lake is fed primarily by Stony Creek which enters from the north. Burrill Inlet, bordered by the village of Burrill Lake is largely infilled with marine sediments, but the lake basins are reasonably deep. The entrance to the system is adjacent to Dolphin Point.

Significant Estuarine Tributaries

Burrill Lake
Stoney Creek
Burrill Inlet

Population and Holiday Centres

Burrill Lake
Kings Point

Special Attributes

General

  • Superb recreational waterway - water-skiing areas, power boat racing and sailing, good shoreline fishing, and safe swimming.
  • Much of the western shoreline of the lake is within Meroo National Park.
  • Entrance is very popular, swimming and wind surfing area.
  • Has been declared a recreational fishing haven.

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 0.000
Seagrass 0.764 z,h
Saltmarsh 0.237

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

oyster, boating, tourism

Management Issues

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

Burrill Lake

Current Situation

The Far South Shoalhaven Natural Resource & Floodplain Management Committee has been established by Shoalhaven City Council to implement the Burrill Lake Estuary/Catchment Management Plan The NSW Government is preparing a Sustainability Assessment for Burrill Lake, as recommended by the Healthy Rivers Commission Inquiry into Coastal Lakes.

Management Issues

  • The presence and spread of Caulerpa taxifolia in the northern and central basins of the lake.
  • The management of agricultural activities in the catchment, in particular riparian management and effluent management.
  • The impact of urban stormwater on water quality in the lake

The Estuary Management Process 2

Process Status Date
Form Estuary Management Committee (EMC) completed
Assemble Existing Data completed
Carryout Process Study completed
Carryout Estuary Management Study completed
Draft Estuary Management Plan completed
Review Estuary Management Plan completed
Implement Estuary Management Plan commenced
Monitor and Review Estuary Management Process commenced

Contact Details

Shoalhaven City Council Martin Bergs
Ph (02) 4429 3111

References

Local Government Areas

Shoalhaven

NSW 1:25000 Map Name(s)

Tabourie
Milton