Estuary study to be exhibited
The draft Brisbane Water Estuary Management Study will go on public exhibition from January 18 to March 12.
The draft study was produced for Gosford Council by consultants Cardno Lawson and Treloar, following stakeholder consultation workshops held over the past 18 months.
The study area comprises the tidal waterway, foreshore and adjacent land of Brisbane Water, including the entrance area that has been divided into six management zones.
The draft study represents the fourth stage of the Estuary Management planning process for Brisbane Water.
Cr Peter Freewater, responsible for designing and coordinating the previous step of the Brisbane Water Processes Study, said the study featured a complex list of management options.
"From this study and from community workshops, various concerns for the estuary and options for better management have been developed," Cr Freewater said.
"A decision-making model was also developed to assist the process.
"There are hundreds of management options in the study - far too many to list.
"This critical thing is to balance the social, economic and environmental issues in a way that is sustainable for the benefit of future generations."
Cr Freewater said the draft study on public exhibition was a good opportunity to review and refine the study.
"This is another opportunity for the community to provide their thoughts on management issues in the estuary, the catchment and foreshores," Cr Freewater said.
"After public exhibition, the study will be refined and adopted by council.
"The management options will then become fully costed management actions within the Brisbane Water Estuary Processes Study.
"The priorities and responsibilities for these actions will also be provided.
"The Brisbane Water Estuary Processes Study will also go on public exhibition before being finalised and adopted by council.
"Once adopted, the actions listed there in will begin.
"All actions will be eligible for State Government funding and many options will be solely the responsibility of the State."
Cr Freewater thanked the community for their patience and contributions throughout the process.
"Without their valuable input and their support this whole process would fail," Cr Freewater said.
"It is especially important to recognise the knowledge of our community elders who have lived and worked around the estuary for decades and by contributing their observations through time have captured that information for all time."
The cost of the development of the Draft Brisbane Water Estuary Management Study and Plan is supported 50 per cent by the State Government's Estuary Management Program.
The internal component of the expenditure is provided for in council's 2009-2010 budget, according to a council report.
Council will exhibit the Draft Brisbane Water Estuary Management Study for public comment over a period of eight weeks on its website at www.gosford.nsw.gov.au and at the Gosford, Erina, Kincumber and Woy Woy customer service centres.
Council agenda ENV.92, 8 Dec 2009
Clare Graham, 9 Dec 2009
Interviewee: Cr Peter Freewater, Gosford Council