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Estuaries in NSW

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

Estuary Type

Creek

Estuary Characteristics

Area Catchment 25 km2
Waterway Area 0.5 km2
Entrance Characteristics Open, partially trained
Location (Lat-Long) 30.297S ,  153.140E
Distance (from Sydney) 555 km North
Summary of Available Data Data Pages

Physical Features

The catchment is largely cleared with the Coffs Harbour urban area occupying approximately 20%. The approximate length of Coffs Harbour Creek is 13 km.

Significant Estuarine Tributaries

Coffs Creek

Population and Holiday Centres

Coffs Harbour

Special Attributes

General

  • Excellent public access - passing through the town of Coffs Harbour, the creek foreshores largely comprise public open space. A timber boardwalk and well maintained walkways besides Coffs Creek provide access between Coffs Harbour CBD and the Jetty foreshores.
  • Recreation - fishing, boating, swimming and passive recreation.

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 0.192 av,ae
Seagrass 0.002 z
Saltmarsh 0.002

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.

Coffs Creek

Current Situation

Coffs Harbour City Council has formed a Coastal/Estuary Management Committee to allow community input into the management of all its estuaries. Council has completed an estuary management plan for Coffs Creek which it is currently implementing.

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 none

Contact Details

Coffs Harbour City Council Martin Rose
Ph 6648 4421

References

Local Government Areas

Coffs Harbour

NSW 1:25000 Map Name(s)

Coffs Harbour