Wyong Coastal Zone Management Plan 2011

The Central Coast has been a favourite recreation and holiday destination for generations. The number of people living in or visiting the Central Coast is ever growing. High recreational usage and urban growth places significant pressure on sensitive coastal landscapes. Storm wave erosion of beaches and dunes, as well as landslip on cliffs or bluffs, has the potential to threaten safety and spoil the enjoyment of the coast.

The Coastal Zone Management Plan for Wyong Shire (Wyong CZMP 2011) was developed in partnership with the New South Wales Office of Environment and Heritage. It was prepared in accordance with the State Government's suite of coastal legislation policies and guidelines. The plan addresses a pressing need to develop and implement strategies that properly manage risks to people, property and the environment in the fragile and dynamic coastal zone. It was adopted by Wyong Shire Council on the 14 December 2011.

The Wyong CZMP 2011 helps Council and the community understand:

• which coastal locations warrant conservation
• the dynamic, ever-changing nature of our coast
• the different options available for managing coastal erosion risks
• what’s needed to provide safe access and recreation spaces for locals and visitors
• where special protection should be provided for protection of infrastructure like surf clubs
• what emergency procedures are needed for major storms
• how to minimise the impacts of development, such as weed infestations, litter and decreased water quality from land clearing, car parks and other activities
• the costs of balancing what the community wants for the coast, and where State and Local Government should spend money.

The Wyong CZMP 2011 deals with the management of the immediate coastal fringe. For the northern coastal areas, this includes:

• the first street parallel to the ocean or the extent of the 100-year coastal hazard planning zone (whichever is greater) for urban areas and public reserves
• fore dunes and hind dunes
• unstable coastal areas such as cliffs and bluffs.

Most houses along northern coastal areas are situated around smaller bay beaches and bluffs, such as Blue Bay, Toowoon Bay, Noraville and The Entrance. These are the main focus of the current project, together with development on the dunes behind some sections of long sandy beaches.

Near these core, coastal urban areas, interaction with the natural coastal process driven by wind, rain, waves and tides can affect the environmental quality of the coastline. This can include stormwater catchments and other urban areas from which local people would visit the beaches, headlands and rock platforms. Land managed by National Parks and Wildlife Service is also part of the context area.