Due to changes in legislation, and the growing need to address issues such as climate change, Shaws Bay will be the focus of a new Coastal Management Program (CMP), with funding assistance from the NSW Government’s Coastal and Estuary Grants Program.
Ballina Shire Council will transition the existing Shaws Bay Coastal Zone Management Plan into a Coastal Management Program in accordance with the Coastal Management Act 2016 and the NSW Government Coastal Management Framework.
Ballina-based Hydrosphere Consulting has been appointed to develop the first stage of the Program, including a Scoping Study. The Scoping Study will review work undertaken to date, consult with the community, and provide a clear path to implement future stages of the Coastal Management Program.
Submissions closed Friday 14 July 2023.
The majority of actions identified in the Shaws Bay Coastal Zone Management Plan (CZMP) have now been successfully completed. These works have included dredging to improve tidal flushing and water quality, beach nourishment and the creation of sandy beaches, expansion and rectification work on rock groynes on the eastern arm to mitigate erosion, construction of a boardwalk and a salt marsh basin, rehabilitation of vegetation and creation of protected vegetated areas, educational signage, improved car parking, installation of access ramps, showers, seating, picnic tables and shelters.
Some of these actions are described further below.
| Objective | Improve water quality, recreational amenity and access from the reserves to the bay. |
| Funding | $650,000 $140,913 funded by the NSW Dept of Planning and Environment (DPE) Coastal and Estuary Grants Program, $104,500 funded by DPE Crown Lands Public Reserves Management Fund, and the balance by Council |
Works were carried out to improve the function, amenity and safety of the foreshore with new paths, shelters, seating and landscaping. Improvements to rock groyne structures were also carried out to mitigate erosion and assist in the creation of sandy beaches. As a result of these works, eroding banks were stabilised and access to the bay was improved. Sandy beaches have been created and important marine and terrestrial vegetation have been protected with restricted access in some areas.
| Objective | Reduce infilling and improve water circulation and water quality in the bay, and enhance access and connectivity for the community |
| Funding | $915,874 equally funded by NSW Dept of Planning and Environment Coastal and Estuary Grants Program, and Council. |
The project involved the following works:
Completed May 2018
| Objective | Enhance the safety and recreational amenity of the foreshore and improve stormwater systems |
| Funding | $380,000 funded by Ballina Shire Council |
Users of the western foreshore can now enjoy improved parking, access ramp into the water, showers, shared-path, seating and picnic shelters. Stormwater systems have also been realigned to improve treatment.
| Objective | Enhance ecological value, foreshore access and recreational amenity of the park |
| Funding | $350,000 funded by Ballina Shire Council |
Council aims to continue to develop management plans and projects to ensure the cultural, environmental and recreational values of Shaws Bay are enhanced and protected into the future. One of the ways to achieve this is the development of a new Coastal Management Program (CMP) for the Shaws Bay area. This will involve transitioning the previous CZMP into a CZMP through the five-stage process of the NSW Coastal Management Framework. Council has applied for funding under the NSW State Government’s Coastal and Estuary Grants Program to commence stage one of the process to complete a scoping study in early 2023.
The General Manager
Ballina Shire Council
PO Box 450
Ballina NSW 2478
40 Cherry Street
Ballina NSW 2478
Opening Hours
8:15am - 4:30pm
Monday to Friday
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