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Coastal Management Program

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With 174km of lake foreshore and 32km of coastline that make up the coastal zone, Lake Macquarie City is an ecologically rich, physically dynamic and attractive place to visit and live. But as our city grows and faces the challenges of climate change, our lake and coast will experience increasing pressure from development, rising sea levels, and pollution flowing in from the catchment.

The Lake Macquarie Coastal Management Program is a long-term plan for the future so Council can anticipate and manage these problems and a pathway to achieve its vision of “a healthy, resilient coastal zone” (Marung, Birirral bunaba).

The Coastal Management Program was certified by the NSW Minister for the Environment on 26 September 2023. 

It outlines 114 actions to be taken over the next 10 years to protect our coastal zone from the risks of our changing climate and increasing urban density. 

It has been developed over three years, in consultation with a range of stakeholders including agencies such as Transport for NSW, Hunter Water, NSW Department of Planning and Environment, and NSW Department of Primary Industries, as well as universities, other local governments and regional environmental and community groups. 

Some actions are Council’s sole responsibility, while others are a collaborative approach with other organisations.


With 174km of lake foreshore and 32km of coastline that make up the coastal zone, Lake Macquarie City is an ecologically rich, physically dynamic and attractive place to visit and live. But as our city grows and faces the challenges of climate change, our lake and coast will experience increasing pressure from development, rising sea levels, and pollution flowing in from the catchment.

The Lake Macquarie Coastal Management Program is a long-term plan for the future so Council can anticipate and manage these problems and a pathway to achieve its vision of “a healthy, resilient coastal zone” (Marung, Birirral bunaba).

The Coastal Management Program was certified by the NSW Minister for the Environment on 26 September 2023. 

It outlines 114 actions to be taken over the next 10 years to protect our coastal zone from the risks of our changing climate and increasing urban density. 

It has been developed over three years, in consultation with a range of stakeholders including agencies such as Transport for NSW, Hunter Water, NSW Department of Planning and Environment, and NSW Department of Primary Industries, as well as universities, other local governments and regional environmental and community groups. 

Some actions are Council’s sole responsibility, while others are a collaborative approach with other organisations.


  • Share Has LMCC studied CMP's used by other councils? For example, one of Australia's largest and most vulnerable cities, the Gold Coast. Their coastal management plan appears to rely on sand nourishment rather than the movement of infrastructure, restricted beach access or foredune vegetation. on Facebook Share Has LMCC studied CMP's used by other councils? For example, one of Australia's largest and most vulnerable cities, the Gold Coast. Their coastal management plan appears to rely on sand nourishment rather than the movement of infrastructure, restricted beach access or foredune vegetation. on Twitter Share Has LMCC studied CMP's used by other councils? For example, one of Australia's largest and most vulnerable cities, the Gold Coast. Their coastal management plan appears to rely on sand nourishment rather than the movement of infrastructure, restricted beach access or foredune vegetation. on Linkedin Email Has LMCC studied CMP's used by other councils? For example, one of Australia's largest and most vulnerable cities, the Gold Coast. Their coastal management plan appears to rely on sand nourishment rather than the movement of infrastructure, restricted beach access or foredune vegetation. link

    Has LMCC studied CMP's used by other councils? For example, one of Australia's largest and most vulnerable cities, the Gold Coast. Their coastal management plan appears to rely on sand nourishment rather than the movement of infrastructure, restricted beach access or foredune vegetation.

    Barry Seriese asked almost 3 years ago

    Hi Barry,

    Thanks for your interest in this project. Council continues to study relevant approaches to coastal management, including those used by the Gold Coast and other councils.  

    Large-scale sand nourishment from offshore sources is not a preferred option for addressing coastal erosion on Lake Macquarie’s beaches. Localised sand nourishment is a strategy supported by Council in locations such as the southern corner of Blacksmiths beach; improving dune and beach resilience and recreational amenity. Regards, Luke

  • Share It is disappointing that Stage 2 does not include any assessment of industrial pollution particularly from the power station ash dams. can this be included as part of "station closures"? on Facebook Share It is disappointing that Stage 2 does not include any assessment of industrial pollution particularly from the power station ash dams. can this be included as part of "station closures"? on Twitter Share It is disappointing that Stage 2 does not include any assessment of industrial pollution particularly from the power station ash dams. can this be included as part of "station closures"? on Linkedin Email It is disappointing that Stage 2 does not include any assessment of industrial pollution particularly from the power station ash dams. can this be included as part of "station closures"? link

    It is disappointing that Stage 2 does not include any assessment of industrial pollution particularly from the power station ash dams. can this be included as part of "station closures"?

    Bruce Macfarlane asked about 3 years ago

    Hi Bruce,

    Thanks for your question. During the development of management options (Stage 3 of the Coastal Management Program) we will consider the information provided in Stage 2 with respect to power station closures and in consultation with the community and industry, develop suitable measures to address any potential environmental impacts of power station ash dams as they apply to Lake Macquarie’s coastal zone.

    Regards,

    The project team

  • Share Has council considered the removal of sand from Swansea Channel and the future use of the sand to recoup some of the cost of removing the sand. The sand could also be used to reclaim or replenish the sand lost to storm along nine mile beach. This can be done by pumping the sand to where it is needed. on Facebook Share Has council considered the removal of sand from Swansea Channel and the future use of the sand to recoup some of the cost of removing the sand. The sand could also be used to reclaim or replenish the sand lost to storm along nine mile beach. This can be done by pumping the sand to where it is needed. on Twitter Share Has council considered the removal of sand from Swansea Channel and the future use of the sand to recoup some of the cost of removing the sand. The sand could also be used to reclaim or replenish the sand lost to storm along nine mile beach. This can be done by pumping the sand to where it is needed. on Linkedin Email Has council considered the removal of sand from Swansea Channel and the future use of the sand to recoup some of the cost of removing the sand. The sand could also be used to reclaim or replenish the sand lost to storm along nine mile beach. This can be done by pumping the sand to where it is needed. link

    Has council considered the removal of sand from Swansea Channel and the future use of the sand to recoup some of the cost of removing the sand. The sand could also be used to reclaim or replenish the sand lost to storm along nine mile beach. This can be done by pumping the sand to where it is needed.

    Jon Hancock asked about 3 years ago

    Hi Jon,

    Thanks for your question and interest in this project. Council has previously worked with the NSW Government (who are responsible for dredging in Swansea Channel) to have dredged sand used for beach nourishment and other beneficial purposes, and we will continue to do so to replenish priority locations along 9-Mile Beach. 

    Regards,

    The project team.

  • Share Has Council taken into account the over development of the entire coast either ocean or lake and the impacts that stormwater from hard surfaces has on our environment? on Facebook Share Has Council taken into account the over development of the entire coast either ocean or lake and the impacts that stormwater from hard surfaces has on our environment? on Twitter Share Has Council taken into account the over development of the entire coast either ocean or lake and the impacts that stormwater from hard surfaces has on our environment? on Linkedin Email Has Council taken into account the over development of the entire coast either ocean or lake and the impacts that stormwater from hard surfaces has on our environment? link

    Has Council taken into account the over development of the entire coast either ocean or lake and the impacts that stormwater from hard surfaces has on our environment?

    harley asked over 3 years ago

    Thank you for your interest in the coastal area of Lake Macquarie. In response to your query: 

    • Development along the coastal zone of Lake Macquarie is currently regulated and guided by Council’s Local Environmental Plan and Development Control Plan. 
    • Stormwater runoff continues to be a key environmental management consideration for Lake Macquarie. Stormwater quality continues to be a major influence on lake water quality, with about 80 per cent of pollutants entering the lake generated from non-point sources, such as urban run‑off. There has been little change to the pressure on stormwater in the City during 2019/2020. This water quality site may also be of interest: https://search.data.gov.au/dataset/ds-dga-851571e7-85b2-48dd-bf38-f0659a9f6b46/details?q=water


    Kind regards,

    The Project Team