Coastal Management Programs

We adopted two Coastal Management Programs (CMP) Stage 1 Scoping Studies covering:

• Open coast
• Belongil Creek estuary
• Tallow Creek estuary.

The scoping studies involved:

• Input from community and stakeholders on key threats and issues to the coastal zone.
• Identified information gaps to be addressed in Stage 2. 

As part of Stage 1, we developed a Community and Stakeholder Engagement Strategy to guide consultation. 

There will be more opportunities for community involvement as the CMP is prepared through stages 3 and 4.

• CMP Stage 1 Scoping Study for Cape Byron to South Golden Beach(PDF, 13MB) adopted June 2020.
• Southern Byron Shire Coastline and Belongil Estuary Scoping Study(PDF, 40MB) adopted August 2021 (includes the Tallow Creek estuary)

Stage 1 identified studies and activities needed at Stage 2 to fill data gaps and prioritise management issues, including the following:

• Coastal hazard assessment - See our Coastal Hazards page for more information and to download the study documents.
• Continue design investigation for the modification of the coastal protections works at Main Beach, Byron Bay - 3 shortlisted design options have progressed to further evaluation. The 3 shortlisted options will be assessed in detail during Stage 3 options evaluation and development. 
  See our Main Beach Shoreline Project page for more information.
• Identification of water pollution sources and development of a pollution control program. - complete, see Document library on this page
• Review of Tallow and Belongil Creeks Entrance Opening Strategies - complete, see Document library on this page.
• Review of mapping of coastal wetland and littoral rainforest areas - complete, see Document library on this page.
• Study on impacts from recreational use and commercial tourism.

These consultant technical studies provide further information on risk and potential management recommendations for further consideration by Council in developing more effective management strategies and actions in Stage 3.

We will continue to seek State Government funding from the State Government Coast and Estuary Grants Program to assist. 

We are currently preparing Stage 3 of the CMPs. This stage involves:

• Identifying key threats and risks, along with opportunities (easy wins).
• Evaluating options for managing the threats and risks.
• Seeking feedback from stakeholders and the community to help shortlist the management options.

In Stage 4, Council will seek endorsement of the management options. For each CMP study area, Council will:

• collate the components of the CMP
• place the Draft CMP on public exhibition
• finalise the CMP
• seek Council adoption of the CMP and
• once adopted by Council, seek Ministerial certification.

Once the CMP is certified, Council can start to implement management actions. In Stage 5, Council can:

• incorporate actions in Council's Delivery Program and Operational Plan
• commence seeking grants and
• implement, monitor and report on CMP actions. 

Certification of a Coastal Management Program (CMP) allows us to access the NSW Government's Coast and Estuary Grant fund. 

This allows us to put in place the actions in the program. 

Once a council adopts a CMP, it is submitted to the Minister for certification. If the program meets all the requirements, it receives certification.

If a CMP isn't certified, we will continue to seek certification. Whilst also seeking other funding opportunities to deliver priority actions. 

In the past we have prepared coastal plans that have not been approved or certified by the Minister. 

This is due to:

• Legislative changes forcing Council to revise its coastal management planning multiple times. 
• Litigation around coastal management and development controls has also made certification harder.