Wollongong and Shellharbour City Councils are calling for local community members to provide feedback on the draft Lake Illawarra Coastal Management Program.
The Councils have prepared the draft Program that outlines the strategic direction and specific actions that can be implemented over the next 10 years to address threats to the environmental health of the Lake and protect and enhance its values.
The draft document was developed in accordance with the NSW Coastal Management Act 2016 and the Coastal Management Manual 2018 and the process was overseen by the Lake Illawarra Estuary Management Committee. It was also produced with support from the Department of Planning, Industry and Environment (formerly the NSW Office of Environment and Heritage).
“This is a very important document and one that will provide a long-term strategy for coordinated management of the Lake Illawarra catchment,” said Wollongong City Lord Mayor Councillor Gordon Bradbery AM.
“It outlines management strategies to support the environmental and recreational priorities for the Lake. It addresses threats and challenges and gives us the opportunity to seek State Government grant funding to make the actions outlined in the document a reality and achieve its objectives.”
The draft Program comprises of 9 management strategies and 37 actions. The strategies include improve water quality, manage foreshore and bank, manage the entrance channel and to protect and promote cultural heritage.
Shellharbour City Mayor Marianne Saliba said the document was a vital tool for ensuring the best possible outcomes for the future of Lake Illawarra.
“The management plan takes into account scientific evidence and input from all stakeholders. This strategic document is a blueprint on how to move forward and I encourage the community to provide their input,” she said.
Community members have until Wednesday 11 September 2019 to provide feedback on the draft Program. There will be two drop in sessions at Dapto Ribbonwood Centre on Tuesday 13 August from 5.30-8pm and at Shellharbour Civic Centre on Wednesday 14 August from 10am-12.30pm.
Information and feedback forms are also available in Shellharbour and Wollongong City Council libraries and on the websites for both Councils.
