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Coastal Management Programs

Central Coast Council is developing Coastal Management Programs to guide the long-term care of our coast and waterways in line with the NSW Coastal Management Framework.

    Working together to protect what we love

    Our coastal environments are where biodiversity thrives and communities come together - places of natural wonder, cultural heritage and everyday connection. From the still waters of our lagoons to the open stretch of our beaches, these spaces support wildlife, recreation and local identity. But they’re also facing growing pressures from erosion, pollution and development. Council is responding with five Coastal Management Programs that reflect community values and local knowledge, guiding the long-term care and protection of our waterways.

    What is a Coastal Management Program?

    Coastal Management Programs (CMPs) are Council’s blueprint for protecting our coastlines - designed to be practical, evidence-based and shaped by the community. 

    Developed under the NSW Coastal Management Framework and mandated under the NSW Coastal Management Act 2016, CMPs help ensure every coastal Council is working toward a shared vision for the future. Once certified by the NSW Government, they unlock funding, improve coordination across agencies, and pave the way for smarter, more effective coastal action.

    The CMP process is structured into five distinct stages, each designed to ensure a thorough, evidence-based, and community-informed approach to coastal management.

    • This foundational stage identifies the scope, context, and key issues for each CMP. It includes:

      • Strategic context analysis (environmental, social, economic, cultural)
      • Identification of coastal management areas and issues
      • Review of existing management arrangements
      • Initial stakeholder and community engagement
      • First-pass risk assessment
      • Preliminary business case
      • Planning for future stages.

    • This stage involves technical and scientific investigations to fill knowledge gaps identified in Stage 1. It includes:

      • Coastal hazard studies (erosion, inundation, cliff instability)
      • Mapping of assets and vulnerable areas
      • Ecological and water quality assessments
      • Socioeconomic and cultural value studies
      • Detailed risk assessments using national standards (AS/NZS ISO 31000).

    • This stage focuses on evaluating management options and drafting the CMP. It includes:

      • Identification and comparison of potential management actions
      • Cost-benefit and feasibility analysis
      • Drafting of CMP documents including business plans and emergency action subplans
      • Continued stakeholder and community engagement.

    • This stage involves finalising the CMP and submitting it for Ministerial certification. It includes:

      • Public exhibition of the draft CMP
      • Incorporation of community and stakeholder feedback
      • Final revisions and approvals
      • Integration with Council’s Integrated Planning and Reporting (IP&R) framework.

    • The final stage focuses on delivering the actions outlined in the CMP. It includes:

      • Implementation through Council’s IP&R and land-use planning systems
      • Ongoing monitoring, evaluation, and reporting
      • Review and update every 10 years.

    Status snapshot

    Coastal Management Programs (CMPs) are Council’s blueprint for protecting our coastlines - designed to be practical, evidence-based and shaped by the community. Developed under the NSW Coastal Management Framework and mandated under the NSW Coastal Management Act 2016, CMPs help ensure every coastal Council is working toward a shared vision for the future. Once certified by the NSW Government, they unlock funding, improve coordination across agencies, and pave the way for smarter, more effective coastal a

     

    RegionStage 1 
    Engagement    		Stage 2/3
    Engagement    		Draft on
    Public Exhibition    		Certified
    Open Coast✅ Completed✅ Completed✅ Completed✅ Completed
    Tuggerah Lakes✅ Completed🟡 In progress  
    Coastal Lagoons✅ Completed✅ Completed🟡 Coming soon 
    Hawkesbury-Nepean River System✅ Completed✅ Completed🟡 In progress 
    Lake Macquarie✅ Completed✅ Completed✅ Completed✅ Completed

    Community engagement and public exhibition

    Community engagement is at the heart of CMP development. Council has worked hard to ensure local voices are heard and reflected throughout every stage of planning. In Phase 1, Council conducted a region-wide engagement process to better understand the community’s values, concerns, and priorities for all coastal and estuarine systems. Over 1,100 community members participated through surveys, mapping tools, and feedback forms - helping to build a shared vision for the future of our coast and waterways.

    full Phase 1 Community Engagement Report

    Since then, more targeted engagement activities have been held for each CMP as they progress through later stages. These include:

    • Pop-up events and drop-in sessions at beaches, lagoons, and local markets
    • Stakeholder workshops and advisory committees
    • Online surveys and interactive maps
    • Community Focus Groups.

    Council is committed to transparent, inclusive engagement and encourages everyone to get involved in the process.

    All engagement is conducted via our Your Voice Our Coast website. 

    Register to stay up-to-date

    Useful link

    Last updated: 24/06/2026