Central Coast Council has welcomed a $303,333 funding injection from the State Government for its Coastal Management Program (CMP) for the Open Coast areas.
“The Open Coast CMP covers the beaches and coastlines from Budgewoi Beach in the north to Killcare Beach in the south,” a spokesperson said.
“Council also welcomes the announcement by the Government that funding is being provided for stage three of the Hawkesbury Nepean CMP (including Brisbane Water).
“Central Coast Council is one of six Councils undertaking this joint CMP.
“Council is also progressing the CMP for the Tuggerah Lakes estuary and the Coastal Lagoons using funding under the same grants program.”
Minister for Local Government Wendy Tuckerman said CMPs are the key partnership tool State and Local Governments use to ensure the coastline is protected and managed effectively on a targeted, local level.
“Central Coast Council has already taken the first step by completing a scoping study for the open coast and coastal lagoons, which support significant ecological communities and varying recreational uses,” Tuckerman said.
Parliamentary Secretary for the Central Coast and Member for Terrigal Adam Crouch said local beaches are diverse and this makes it a challenging and dynamic coastline to manage.
“Central Coast Council currently has five Coastal Zone Management Plans,” he said.
“Through this funding, we can now harmonise them into one CMP.
“Council has listened to the community on how they use waterways.
“I look forward to seeing the draft CMP once it’s released for community feedback.”
Councils can apply for funding at any time during the financial year to undertake planning and studies and funding provided at a 2:1 ratio, with $2 contributed from the state government for every $1 provided by the council.
Terry Collins