Feedback wanted on Draft Scoping Study for Byron’s southern coastline

Published on 11 May 2021

Byron Shire Council is asking for public feedback on a draft Scoping Study which compromises Stage 1 of the process to develop a Coastal Management Program (CMP) for the coastal area stretching from Cape Byron to Seven Mile Beach including the Tallow Creek and Belongil Creek estuaries.   

The areas included in the Scoping Study include:

It’s the first of several stages necessary in the development of a Coastal Management Program (CMP) for the beaches and coastal areas in the southern part of the shire.

A CMP is a long-term strategy that focuses on the management of the coastal zone taking into account what people value about the beaches, estuaries and coastal areas, what issues are important, current and future threats to the natural environment and how to ensure they are maintained and protected well into the future.

“We surveyed stakeholders and the community at the end of 2020 and they told us the preservation of the natural environment was a primary concern,” Chloe Dowsett, Council’s Coast, Biodiversity and Sustainability Coordinator, said.

The scoping study for the southern beaches and coastal areas of the Byron Shire outlines management issues and community values as well as identifying gaps in the knowledge of Council and further studies that need to be done.

“Once we get feedback from the community about the Draft Scoping Study, staff and consultants will review and incorporate the information which will be provided to Council for endorsement,” Ms Dowsett said.

“We will then move onto the next step in the preparation of the CMP which is a range of detailed studies required to fill priority information gaps.

“This will allow Council, in collaboration with public agencies and land managers to develop credible, evidence-based management actions,” Ms Dowsett said.

Council understands the community is concerned about erosion on Main Beach but this scoping study is looking at the beaches and estuaries south of the Byron Bay lighthouse and the Belongil estuary.

The Draft Scoping Study for Byron Shire’s Southern Beaches is available at Your Say Byron Shire.

The closing date for submissions is 11 June 2021.

Council has already adopted a Scoping Study for the open coastal from Cape Byron to South Golden beach and has commenced Stage 2 of the process with the design and investigation of the Main Beach coastal protection works.

For media enquiries contact Annie Lewis, Media and Communications Coordinator, on 6626 7320.