Bega River Estuary management plan on exhibition

February 28, 2008

A draft management plan for the Bega River Estuary is on public exhibition following a decision of the Bega Valley Shire Council on Tuesday.

Bega River Estuary - Yvonne McArthur.

The draft plan was prepared by Council in partnership with the Department of Environment and Climate Change over the past two years and funded by the NSW Government Estuary Management Program.

The study area focuses on the estuarine section of the Bega River catchment, upstream to Jellat Jellat and the Penooka Wetlands.

Council’s Environmental Services Manager, Danny Madigan, says the draft plan will be a vital tool in ensuring the ongoing protection of the Bega River Estuary’s many environmental, recreational and economic values.

“The plan will focus on specific issues such as biodiversity, catchment development, entrance management and climate change,” Mr Madigan said.

Have some opinions about the Bega River Estuary Management Plan? Then have your say in the comment box at the bottom of the page.

In accordance with recommendations of the Healthy Rivers Commission and the NSW Government’s statement of intent for the Bega River, the plan examines sewage management in the estuary, entrance management and future development.

It also makes management recommendations on ecology and biodiversity; amenity; economics; bank erosion; climate change; development; heritage; water quality and sediments; entrance management; and management mechanisms.

Councillors resolved to exhibit the Bega River Estuary draft management plan for six weeks until April 11 at Council’s Bega office and on council’s website, www.begavalley.nsw.gov.au

A public information night will be held at the Tathra Hall on a date to be fixed during the exhibition period.

For more information phone Danny Madigan or Derek van Bracht on 6499 2222