The Tuggerah Lakes Expert Panel’s report into improving water quality in the popular lake system has been released by the NSW Government.
During a visit to the Central Coast on Friday, Environment Minister Matt Kean said the extensive work undertaken by the Expert Panel will inform the preparation of Central Coast Council’s Coastal Management Program for Tuggerah Lakes which will set the strategic direction for management of the lakes for the next ten years.
“Tuggerah Lakes are central to the lives of thousands of people who live, work and play in the area,” Mr Kean said.
“The Expert Panel’s final report, Tuggerah Lakes Water Quality Independent Expert Panel Review, is the next step in unlocking what actions need to be taken to protect and conserve the Lakes for generations to come.”
Parliamentary Secretary for the Central Coast and Member for Terrigal Adam Crouch said the report will ensure the coastal planning process for Tuggerah Lakes is underpinned by sound science and data.
“This is the first time that science, data and community feedback have been brought together into a single document that all levels of government can utilise to better direct resources and funding,” Mr Crouch said.
“The extensive public consultation conducted by the Expert Panel shows that our community thinks a ‘reset’ into the management of Tuggerah Lakes is required, and this report enables the Council to do exactly that.
“The Expert Panel has worked hard to form 50 final recommendations which the NSW Government will now consider and also provide to the Council. I want to thank the Expert Panel, led by Associate Professor Will Glamore, for their significant work.”
In 2019, the NSW Government committed $200,000 to establish a Tuggerah Lakes Expert Panel to investigate the ongoing water quality problems in Tuggerah Lakes and recommend actions to address these issues.
