Burroo Bay on Lake Illawarra is one of three sites that will be subject to an investigation to see if they should be dredged, as part of Shellharbour Council’s coastal management plan. Photo: Anna Watson MP.
More than half a million dollars will be spent on Shellharbour’s coastline and waterways thanks to a NSW Government grant.
Shellharbour City Council was given funding for three projects under the Coastal and Estuary Grants Program, which helps local government to better understand and protect unique coastal and estuarine environments across NSW.
The funds for Shellharbour represent about a quarter of the $2 million allocated to coastal management grants across the state.
Member for Shellharbour Anna Watson MP said the funds would help protect the region’s coastal environment.
“I welcome this funding for Shellharbour City Council from the NSW Government’s Coastal and Estuary Grants Program,” she said.
“Shellharbour City Council will now have the funding and resources they need to better protect our region’s unique coastal environment.”
The council will undertake three projects with the funds.
The first is a dredging investigation project.
This project will allow the council to assess the feasibility of navigational dredging in Burroo Bay, Koona Bay and Horsley Creek within Lake Illawarra.
Dredging could improve the accessibility of recreational amenity areas that are affected by gradual sediment infilling.
The second is the Shellharbour Coastal Values Project.
This project will allow the council to map current and predicted coastal hazards and identify culturally appropriate management strategies to mitigate risks to Indigenous coastal values.
The third is the Shellharbour Coastal Management Project.
This project will allow the council to identify risks and management opportunities, as well as identify and evaluate options to manage the Shellharbour open coast and Elliot Lake.
The council will also prepare the final Coastal Management Plan documents to be presented to the Minister for the Environment for certification.
A NSW Government spokesperson said the State Government would also provide technical support to local government to ensure councils and communities achieved the government’s long-term vision for healthy coasts and estuaries.
Minister for the Environment Penny Sharpe said more than $2 million in coastal management grants was being distributed across the state.
“This funding helps councils understand their unique coastal management challenges and find the best solutions,” she said.
“We want to help councils protect our precious NSW coasts.”
For more information on the projects and the Coastal and Estuary Grants Program, click here.
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