About coastal management

The NSW Government has established a new coastal management framework to manage the coastal environment in an ecologically sustainable way, for the social, cultural and economic wellbeing of the people of New South Wales.

A dynamic coast

The coast is one of our greatest assets. It is a diverse landscape with unique natural features, values and resources that support our way of life. The coast is a vital economic zone and is home to nearly 85% of the NSW population.

The coastal zone includes coastal waters, rocky and sandy shorelines, dunes and coastal lakes. It is shaped by complex interactions between waves, tides and currents, which can result in erosion, deposition and inundation of coastal land. These hazards can create risks to the coastal environment and coastal communities.

Climate change is another factor in modifying coastal processes, hazards and risks. The coastal landscape is also under increasing pressure from growing population and urban settlements, industrial and commercial activity, tourism and recreation.

Sustainable management of the coast often involves balancing a diverse range of challenges and opportunities for the social, cultural and economic wellbeing of the people of New South Wales.

Local councils' role

Local councils have a central role in managing the coast. They prepare a coastal management program (CMP), which sets out the long-term strategy for management of the coastal zone in their area.

A CMP identifies:

• coastal management issues in the area
• the actions required to address these issues
• how and when those actions will be implemented.

Local councils also identify the costs of the actions, proposed cost-sharing arrangements and viable funding mechanisms to ensure delivery.

Once a CMP is certified by the Minister, a local council implements the actions in the CMP through its strategic management systems and land-use planning instruments.

Our role

The NSW Government, through the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water, provides oversight of the state’s coastal management program. The department is the first point of contact for local councils planning to prepare and implement a CMP.

We will continue to work in partnership with councils and local communities to manage the coast.

We can help councils preparing a CMP with the following data and technical advice:

• wave data and data on historical coastline changes
• information on coastal and estuarine processes, sediment cells and coastal geomorphology/coastal engineering
• information on coastal hazard and risk assessment
• advice on ecosystem health and habitat mapping.

The department administers the Coastal and Estuary Grants Program, which provides funding for councils to prepare and implement their coastal management program.

Community role

It is recommended that councils consult with local communities during the preparation of a CMP.

Local communities may also be involved in the implementation of a CMP through participation in council advisory groups, on-ground works, monitoring, or providing feedback on satisfaction with performance.

It is recommended that members of the community proposing development in the coastal zone consider the requirements of the Coastal Management Act 2016 (CM Act), the State Environmental Planning Policy (Coastal Management) 2018 (CM SEPP), the relevant CMP and any associated coastal zone emergency action subplan.