Lake Ainsworth CZMPComplete our online survey
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Hydrosphere Consulting has been engaged by Ballina Shire Council (BSC) to prepare a Coastal Management Program (CMP) for Lake Ainsworth, Lennox Head. The goal of the CMP is to provide the long-term strategy and management actions for this water-body. This CMP will supersede the current Lake Ainsworth Management Plan.
The project is equally funded by the Office of Environment and Heritage (OEH) and BSC. The preparation of the CMP will be in accordance with the NSW Coastal Management Act 2016 and the NSW guidelines for coastal management. The preparation of the CMP will involve the five stages listed below as delineated by the Coastal Management Manual. The manual outlines the mandatory requirements and provides guidance on the preparation, development, adoption and content of the CMP. The development of the CMP is a comprehensive process requiring detailed review and analysis as well as an extensive community consultation process.
Project Stages:
Stage 1 - Scoping study – involved collation of existing information, preliminary risk assessment, community consultation strategy and scoping of technical studies to fill key information gaps. January 2018 – May 2018.
Stage 2 - Detailed studies of vulnerabilities and opportunities – involves community engagement, confirmation of key issues and concerns, field work to confirm current knowledge and completion of identified technical studies. Indicative timeline: June 2018 – May 2019.
Stage 3 - Response indication and evaluation – involves threat consequence and risk assessment, the evaluation and identification of management options and the development of management actions. Indicative timeline: May 2019 – August 2019.
Stage 4 - Finalise, exhibit, certify and adopt the CMP – involves the preparation of a Draft CMP for agency review and public exhibition, the identification of funding and final mechanisms to implement the CMP, compiling and addressing submissions from agencies and the community and finalisation of the CMP document for certification. Indicative timeline: August 2019 – February 2020.
Stage 5 - Implementation, monitoring and reporting – involves the implementation of management actions from the certified CMP by BSC and involved agencies as well as the monitoring and reporting of CMP progress. Indicative timeline: Ongoing from February 2020.
Current Progress:
This project is currently in Stage 2 which involves stakeholder and community engagement and detailed study of key issues and concerns. The community survey is now closed. Thank you to all those who took part. The information gathered from the community is being collated and results of the survey will be reported as part of the Stage 2 Report. The Stage 1 Scoping Study has been completed. A copy of the Scoping Study is available for download below.
Community Engagement:
There is a lot of public interest in this iconic lake and community input to this plan is critical in getting the right balance in management priorities. Community members can have their say via:
The communication portal provided below; The community survey (open for 12 weeks from 22nd October 2018 to 18th January 2019); and Providing written submissions in response the draft plan when it becomes available. Community drop-in session no.1 was held at the Lennox Head Surf Club 3-6pm on Tuesday 20th November 2018 Community drop-in session no.2 will be held during public display of the Draft CMP (location and dates to be confirmed closer to the event).Communication Portal:
Contact the project team directly by filling out the contact form.
You may like to include:
local knowledge; historical information; details of issues you are concerned about; ideas for management; things you value about the Lake and would like to see protected or enhanced.Information provided will be used by the project team to help develop the Coastal Management Program for Lake Ainsworth.
If you choose to provide contact details they will only be used by the project team to contact you about your comments if necessary. Personal details will not be published.
If you wish to provide photos or documents, please note this in your message and the project team will contact you to arrange this.