• nsw natural resources
  • Role of DNR
  • Aboriginal programs
  • Catchment Management Authorities
  • Policy framework
  • Joint programs
  • Science and data online
• water management
  
  • Water overview
  • Legislation and policies
  • Water data online
  • Water access and trade
  • Water sharing plans
  • Water for the environment
  • Water quality
  • Water Compliance
  • Across the State
• vegetation
  
  
  • Vegetation overview
  • Native vegetation in NSW
  • Plantations
  • Private Native Forestry
  • Vegetation Compliance
• soils
  
  
  • Soils overview
  • Soils in NSW
  • Soils data online
  • Soil survey
  • Maps for land managers
  • Soil Conservation Schemes
  • Acid sulfate soil
  • Salinity
• wetlands, coast and floodplains
  
  • Coast and floodplains overview
  • The coast
  • Estuaries
  • Floodplains
  • Wetlands

• Contacts
• North Coast facts
• Water management

• Site search:

DWE Home > Home > across the state > North Coast >

North Coast

The North Coast isone of the most diverse and beautiful areas of NSW. The Department works to balance the demands on water use with protection of the environment which makes the area so special.

Stretching south from Port Macquarie to the Queensland border, and inland to the top of the Great Dividing Range, the area is home to stunning beaches, rainforests, timber plantations and productive agricultural land.  The economy of the North Coast relies on a mix of forestry, agriculture and tourism.  

The North Coast is home to an estimated 500,000 people who are widely dispersed across the area of some 50,000 square kilometres which is approximately 6.3% of New South Wales.  It is the fastest growing region, compared to other country areas, and is a popular destination for visitors and residents in search of lifestyle and innovative business opportunities.  Tourism is worth almost $3 billion to the region and employs over 14,000 people.

Both growth and tourism is putting pressure on the fragile water resources of the region.  The growing residential population, riparian extraction, intensive farming, irrigation and hobby farming as well as industry, mining, and forestry has placed pressure on all north coast catchments.  The waterways are constantly utilised by a fluctuating holiday population, with tourism and recreational use focussed largely around the regions waterways.

DWE plays a key role in this process and is responsible for water licence assessment and allocations in the area.  The department has also developed Macro Water Sharing Plans for both surface and groundwater sources on the North Coast as well as assisting local government upgrade their Town Water Supplies to cater for the populations needs and to ensure sustainability of the regions waterways.

The management of blue-green algae, in conjunction with local government, is an area where DWE ensures the community is informed and aware of algal blooms and the potential hazard to human and animals.

Major projects and responsibilities for the Department in this area include:

• Macro Water Sharing Plans – surface and groundwater
• Water Access Licensing
• Ensuring compliance
• Blue-green algal management