Estuaries in NSW

An estuary and its immediate catchment form a complex system of ecological, physical, chemical and social processes, which interact in a highly involved and, at times, unexpected fashion.

The diverse nature of estuarine lands, waters and processes, results in the division of estuary management between a number of government agencies. For example, the ownership and control of estuarine waterfront and submerged lands, is spread across a spectrum of private landholders, local councils, trustees, crown land and other New South Wales Government authorities.

A vital part of the estuary management process is community involvement and action.

This approach will result in the production of estuary management plans which are entirely consistent with the tenets of total catchment management and ecologically sustainable development.

All eight steps of the estuary management process up to and including implementation and monitoring, are eligible for a 50% state government subsidy under the estuary management program administered by the Department of Natural Resources.

The Estuary Management Process can be considered as 8 distinct steps, in some cases these steps can be combined especially for small estuary systems. The steps form a natural progression for the development and implementation of an Estuary Management Plan.

1. Form an Estuary Management Committee
2. Assemble Existing Data
3. Carry Out an Estuary Process Study
4. Carry Out an Estuary Management Study
5. Prepare a Draft Estuary Management Plan
6. Review Draft Estuary Management Plan
7. Adopt and Implement the Estuary Management Plan
8. Monitor and Review

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Step 1 Form an estuary management committee

The purpose of an estuary management committee is to direct and integrate the various steps of the estuary management process, to ensure that all issues of concern are addressed in a socially, environmentally and economically responsible fashion. In undertaking these tasks, the objectives of the estuary management committee should be consistent with those of the estuary management policy itself.

The composition of an estuary management committee will depend upon the specific issues and problems in the subject estuary. In order to be effective, the committee must include representatives of local community groups, relevant authorities, the local catchment management committee, council staff and councillors and users of the estuary.

Step 2 Assemble existing data

Often, there is a considerable body of data relevant to estuarine processes and management, generally in the form of maps and reports that are available from various government agencies.

One of the first tasks of the estuary management committee should be to arrange for the discovery and assembly of these data. This will provide a basis for assessing the type and scope of any additional data which may need to be collected in future studies and programs. The committee may also commission any necessary studies to review these data, and determine the need for additional investigations.

Sources of data are diverse, from government sponsored data collection exercises to academic research sources, importantly local knowledge should be included.

Step 3 Carry out an estuary process study

The purpose of an estuary process study is to define the ‘baseline’ conditions of the various estuary processes, and the interaction between these processes. Before management options for an estuary can be meaningfully considered, it will generally be necessary to undertake an estuary process study.

In designing an estuary process study, it is important that the interactions between physical, chemical and biological processes occurring in the estuary itself, and between estuarine, ocean and upstream catchment processes, be recognised at the outset, (eg the significance of ocean flushing and the action of surface run-off in delivering freshwater and its dissolved and suspended constituents, to the estuary).

The following items may be part of the overall processes/characteristics considered,

• hydraulics: tidal, freshwater, flushing, salinity, water quality and sediment behaviour etc
• biology: habitats, species, populations, endangered species etc
• impacts: impact of human activities on hydraulics and biology

It should be noted that it is possible that a process study can be compiled from existing data and community knowledge.

Step 4 Carry out an estuary management study

An estuary process study provides essential background information on estuarine processes and their interactions. The estuary management study uses this information, together with additional studies, to define management objectives, options and impacts. To effectively manage all uses of an estuary, it may be necessary to have regard for specific uses, such as oyster growing, tourism, etc. User or industry-based organisations are often available to assist with such studies, eg oyster farmers’ associations and the New South Wales Tourism Commission. The estuary management committee should be aware of such organisations and seek their assistance and advice, when appropriate.

The interaction of the following characteristics and activities should be considered.

• community input : recreational, social, economic, environmental etc
• essential features: physical, chemical, ecological, economic, social & aesthetic
• current uses : activities, land tenure and control, conflicts of use
• conservation goals: preservation, key habitats
• remedial goals: restoration of environmental quality
• development: acceptable commercial and public works activities
• management objectives: identification and assessment
• impacts: impact of proposed management measures

Step 5 Prepare a draft estuary management plan

An estuary management plan consists of a scheduled sequence of recommended activities that need to be undertaken to achieve the estuary management objectives.

Completion of the estuary management process and management studies will provide a sound basis for the formulation of a management plan, which takes into account the considered views of all parties on the estuary management committee. The plan may require trade-offs and compensatory balances if differing viewpoints are to be accommodated.

Activities incorporated in a management plan may relate to nature conservation, rehabilitation, development, education and other matters. Some management measures are ‘one-off’ in nature, eg remedial works and the adoption of a local environmental plan. Other measures are ongoing, such as improvement in land management practices, community education programs, and monitoring surveys. Yet other measures will need to be phased in over time, eg changes in land use that can only be realised on lease expiry or sale of land.

An estuary management study will seek to:

• identify the significance of the estuary in terms of broader coastal and catchment planning issues
• identify ‘essential features’ of the estuary, be they physical, chemical, biological, aesthetic, social or economic
• document current uses and conflicts of use within the estuary
• identify possible future land and waterway uses and their impact on ‘essential features’
• assess the need for nature conservation and remedial measures
• identify critical issues that need to be addressed
• identify and assess management objectives
• assess planning controls, works and other strategies to achieve these objectives, and
• broadly assess the management of current and future ‘estuarine assets’.

Step 6 Review the draft estuary management plan

Estuary management plans will be subject to public display and review. This will provide all interested or affected parties with the opportunity:

• to assess what is proposed for the estuary, the means and implications of proposed controls etc
• to register objections, and
• to make constructive comments in relation to objectives, issues, solutions and options, and the needs of ‘interested parties’.

The estuary management committee will take these comments into account when finalising the estuary management plan.

After public display and any necessary amendments, an estuary management plan must be formally adopted by local council(s) before it is implemented.

Step 7 Adopt and implement the estuary management plan as:

The estuary management committee should oversee the implementation of the estuary management plan.

The following methods can be used, either separately or collectively, to implement the recommendations of an estuary management plan:

• local environmental plans and development control plans introduced by local government for the control of new
• environmental planning policies introduced by the state government, such as State Environmental Planning Policy 14
• (Coastal Wetlands) and regional environmental plans
• designation of aquatic reserves and protected land
• voluntary conservation agreements
• construction of physical restoration, protection or improvement works by local government, state government, the
• private sector or community groups, either individually or collectively
• controls by state government agencies, and
• other measures, such as community education programs.

Step 8 Monitor and review

Having adopted a management plan and commenced its implementation, it will be necessary to monitor outcomes to ensure that management activities and controls are having the desired effects on estuarine habitat and amenity.

Monitoring programs will generally be of two types:

• ongoing ‘baseline monitoring’ to measure the general ‘health’ of the estuary, and
• ‘event monitoring’ to record the impact of development activities or natural events.

In addition to collecting monitoring data, it is also necessary to review these data, to assess the success, or otherwise, of implementation activities. In the light of these findings, it may be necessary to amend the estuary management plan, even to the extent of changing its objectives.

An estuary management plan is not a static instrument. It needs to be reviewed on a regular basis, and updated where necessary to cater for the changing needs and desires of society.

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