Help Steer the Future of Bonville and Pine Creek Estuary

Setting priority actions for the future management of the Bonville and Pine Creek Estuary is the key focus of the draft Bonville Pine Creek Coastal Management Program (CMP) now on public exhibition.

The draft Bonville Pine Creek CMP has been developed following extensive community and stakeholder consultation to identify the values and significance of the Bonville and Pine Creek Estuary.

The primary purpose of the draft Bonville Pine Creek CMP is to set out the long-term strategy for coordinated management of the Estuary to meet local community needs in the short term and identify risks in the longer term.

“This is an important estuarine system that has many regular users and plays a key part in the life of the Sawtell and wider Coffs Harbour communities,” said Marcy Mills, Acting Section Leader, Local Planning.

“Some of the key management objectives outlined in the CMP include improving and maintaining water quality, improving community facilities and amenity, preserving and protecting natural and cultural heritage, and supporting the ongoing use of the estuary as an educational resource and for research.”

A series of actions are defined and a program for implementation over the next 10 years is included in the plan. It outlines prioritised management actions which aim to achieve ecologically sustainable development for the social, cultural and economic well-being of the people in the catchment area and state.

The CMP summarises the management issues and risks raised throughout the consultation period, and presents a series of management options to mitigate these risks.

To have your say on the future of Bonville and Pine Creek estuaries head to https://haveyoursay.coffsharbour.nsw.gov.au/BonvillePineCreekCoastalManagementProgram where you can read the draft management program and make a submission until Thursday April 25, 2019.