Coastal Estuary and Floodplain Risk Management Subcommittee - Tuesday 29 September 2026

Topics

• Central Coast Lagoons program heads towards public exhibition
  Council's Environment and Planning Committee is expected to consider putting the draft Central Coast Lagoons Coastal Management Program on public exhibition, with face-to-face consultation recommended.
  Residents and community groups may soon have a formal opportunity to comment on the area's coastal management priorities.
• Hawkesbury-Nepean coastal plan moves towards ministerial certification
  After public exhibition, Council is preparing to seek adoption and NSW ministerial certification of the final Hawkesbury-Nepean River System Coastal Management Program.
  Certification would mark a major step in the region's long-term coastal and estuary risk-management planning.
• Ettalong Channel dredging question sent back for more information
  The Subcommittee has asked for more information on dredging around Ettalong Channel to support navigation.
  Any future dredging proposal could affect boating access, local waterways and nearby residents, but the meeting did not decide whether works will proceed.

Decisions

• Central Coast Lagoons Coastal Management Program
  The Subcommittee noted completion of Stages 1 to 3 and the attached draft Central Coast Lagoons Coastal Management Program. A separate report will recommend that the Environment and Planning Committee place the draft on public exhibition. The Subcommittee recommended considering face-to-face community consultations during the exhibition.
  Residents will have a further opportunity to comment on the draft program, with in-person consultation recommended as part of the process.
• Hawkesbury-Nepean River System Coastal Management Program
  The Subcommittee noted the outcomes of public exhibition of the draft program. A report is due at the Environment and Planning Committee's October 2026 meeting recommending adoption of the final program for referral to the NSW Minister for Environment for certification.
  The program is moving towards finalisation and ministerial certification after public consultation.
• Further information on Ettalong Channel dredging
  The Subcommittee requested further information for the Environment and Planning Committee about dredging around Ettalong Channel for navigation purposes.
  Navigation access and any future dredging activity around Ettalong Channel remain subject to further information and committee consideration.
• Tuggerah Lakes program progress
  The Subcommittee noted progress on the Tuggerah Lakes Estuary Coastal Management Program across Stages 1, 2 and 3.
  The program is progressing through its staged development process, although no new implementation decision was recorded.

Discussion

• Public exhibition of Central Coast Lagoons draft program
  The draft program is expected to be considered by the Environment and Planning Committee for public exhibition, with face-to-face consultation recommended.
  Residents and local groups may be able to make submissions and attend in-person consultation.
• Hawkesbury-Nepean program moves towards certification
  Following public exhibition, the final Hawkesbury-Nepean River System Coastal Management Program is expected to be considered in October 2026 for adoption and referral to the NSW Minister for Environment.
  The decision would advance long-term coastal and estuary risk-management planning for the river system.
• Ettalong Channel navigation dredging
  Further information has been requested on dredging around Ettalong Channel for navigation purposes.
  Boat users and nearby residents may be affected by any future dredging proposal or navigation works.
• MacMasters Beach safety works
  An officer presented on MacMasters Beach Safety Works. The supplied excerpts do not record a decision, scope, cost or implementation timetable.
  No confirmed change to safety works or services can be reported from the available meeting text.

Impacts

• The Central Coast Lagoons draft program may proceed to public exhibition and face-to-face community consultation.
• The Hawkesbury-Nepean River System program is expected to move towards adoption and ministerial certification after public exhibition.
• Further information will be prepared on potential dredging around Ettalong Channel for navigation.
• No decision details, cost or timetable were provided for MacMasters Beach Safety Works.

Places

• Central Coast Lagoons (coastal and lagoon system)
  Area covered by the draft Coastal Management Program.
• Hawkesbury-Nepean River System (river system)
  Area covered by the Coastal Management Program progressing towards adoption and certification.
• Ettalong Channel (navigation channel)
  Location of requested information about dredging for navigation.
• MacMasters Beach (beach and project area)
  Location of the presented Safety Works item.
• Tuggerah Lakes (estuary and lake system)
  Area covered by the progressing Estuary Coastal Management Program.

Next

• Prepare a separate report recommending public exhibition of the draft Central Coast Lagoons Coastal Management Program.
  Not specified.
• Consider face-to-face community consultation as part of the Central Coast Lagoons exhibition process.
  During the proposed public exhibition process.
• Present a report recommending adoption and referral of the final Hawkesbury-Nepean River System Coastal Management Program for ministerial certification.
  Environment and Planning Committee meeting in October 2026.
• Provide further information to the Environment and Planning Committee about dredging around Ettalong Channel for navigation.
  Not specified.
• Hold the next Coastal Estuary and Floodplain Risk Management Subcommittee meeting.
  Tuesday 15 December 2026.

Extract

OFFICIAL Central Coast Council MINUTES of the Coastal Estuary and Floodplain Risk Management Subcommittee Meeting held in Function Room 2 2 Hely Street, Wyong Tuesday 29 September 2026 Members Status Cr Rachel Stanton, Chairperson Present Cr Doug Eaton OAM, Member Present Cr Jared Wright, Member Present Cr Jane Smith, Member Present Cr Corrine Lamont, Member Present (remotely) Cr John McNamara, Member Present Cr Margot Castles, Member Present Cr Sharon Walsh, Member Present Cr Belinda Neal, Member Present Carla Sbrocchi, Community Representative Apology Mark Elsley OAM, Community Representative Apology Mark Ellis, Community Representative Present Guests Status Mandy Bramble, NSW State Emerg...