One of the most significant natural assets of the Northern Beaches, Pittwater estuary is the centrepiece of recreation, tourism and local business. It’s also an important environmental asset. Under pressure from competing demands, the ongoing challenge is sustainable management that includes all environmental, social and economic factors.

Within the waterway are a number of valuable estuarine habitats including mangroves, coastal saltmarshes, intertidal mud flats, beaches, rocky shorelines and some of the largest meadows of the protected and critically endangered seagrass species Posidonia australis. Pittwater also holds great significance to the traditional Aboriginal owners and custodians of this land.

As it forms part of the Hawkesbury-Nepean River system (the River system), we're working in partnership with local and state government agencies to develop a Coastal Management Program (CMP) to support the coordinated management and sustainable development of the River system as a whole.

Coastal Management Program

A Coastal Management Program (CMP) is a plan of action for Council, public authorities, and land managers responsible for management of the coastal zone to:

• address coastal hazard risks
• preserve habitats and cultural uses and values
• encourage sustainable economic, and built development in the coastal zone
• maintain or improve recreational amenity and resilience
• adapt to emerging issues such as population growth and climate change.

The Hawkesbury-Nepean CMP

In developing the Hawkesbury-Nepean CMP (we are now in Stage 3 of a five stage program), we have a number actions for Pittwater estuary, and want to know what you think. Head to the portal (by clicking on the Have your say banner above) to view the actions and share your feedback.

Please share your thoughts prior to Sunday 24 November for this phase of CMP community and stakeholder engagement.