Welcome to the Sydney Coastal Councils Group website

The Sydney Coastal Councils Group was established in 1989 to promote co-ordination between member councils on environmental and natural resource management issues relating to the sustainable management of the urban coastal environment.

The Group consists of 15 councils adjacent to Sydney marine and estuarine environments and associated waterways (Botany Bay, Hornsby, Leichhardt, Manly, Mosman, North Sydney, Pittwater, Randwick, Rockdale, Sutherland, City of Sydney, Warringah, Waverley, Willoughby and Woollahra). The Group represents over 1.3 million Sydneysiders. This area encompasses the waterways of Broken Bay; Pittwater; Port Jackson, the lower Lane Cove River, Middle and North Harbour; Botany Bay, the Lower Georges and Cooks River; and Port Hacking.

SCCG Climate Change Adaptation Project

SCCG has partnered with CSIRO's Climate Change Adaptation Flagship and working in collaboration with the University of the Sunshine Coast on a project funded under the Australian Government Department of Climate Change, National Climate Change Adaptation Program, entitled " A Systems Approach to Regional Climate Change Adaptation Strategies in Metropolises". The goal of this project is to work with the 15 SCCG Member Councils to determine key vulnerabilities and their capacity to adapt to manage climate change issues at a regional scale.

This 18 month project is heading into its final project phase the case study investigations which will assist in identifying key interventions that can be made to assist councils improve their capacity to adapt to climate change though future management decisions.

The final project phase has been supported by the outcomes of the first two stages 1) the vulnerability assessment and mapping of the SCCG Coastal Council region and 2) the engagement of key stakeholders the SCCG Member Councils though 15 workshops.

For more information and outcomes from this exciting climate change adaptation project please click here.

SCCG Climate Change Legislation Project

The Environmental Defender’s Office was commissioned by the SCCG to conduct an audit of legislation and policy instruments at all levels of government in Australia to determine the responsibilities and potential liabilities of coastal councils for climate change. The result was the report titled Coastal Councils Planning for Climate Change. To find out more Click Here

Walking Coastal Sydney Project

The vision of the Walking Coastal Sydney project is to promote public access to, and enhance the appreciation and recreational enjoyment of Sydney’s Coastline and estuaries for the people of Sydney and visitors to the city. Walking Coastal Sydney is a partnership project between the Sydney Coastal Councils Group, the Walking Volunteers as well as local, state and federal government agencies and authorities.

Through the project a series of brochures that combine to provide a mapped and documented walkable route from Pittwater in the north to Sutherland in the south and links with existing coastal walks including the Harbour Circle Walk, the Great North Walk and joining the walking paths in the Royal National Park.

For more information about the project please go to www.walkingcoastalsydney.com.au

The Sydney Coastal Councils Group Strategic Plan

The Sydney Coastal Councils Group Strategic Plan has been prepared to document and highlight the focus of the Group for the next three years. This document represents the fifth Business Plan of the Group since 1989 and has been developed in direct consultation with Member Councils through the Directional Committee, Full Group and Technical Committee.

The Strategic Plan 2005-2008 recognises the pressures and impacts facing the Sydney coastal region. It also recognises that coastal management is very much a cross sectorial activity with the three spheres of government, regional bodies, industry and the community sharing responsibilities for its management. To download a copy Click Here

SCCG Groundwater Management Handbook - A Guide for Local Government

The much anticipated SCCG Groundwater Management Handbook  has been finalised. The Handbook provides a single resource that promotes sustainable groundwater management. It has been developed so that the technical and management information it contains can be applied throughout NSW with a particular focus on the Sydney coastal region.

It is the only one of its kind in NSW and provides technical, educational and environmental information on groundwater management. The overarching objective of the Groundwater Management Handbook is to provide stakeholders with comprehensive technical, management and education information on the sustainable management of groundwater resources from the one source for the first time. To download a copy Click Here

SCCG - AGS Geotechnical Investigations

The SCCG is pleased to announce that the Landslide Taskforce guidelines for Hazard Zoning, and Slope Management & Maintenance; and Landslide Risk Management Practice Note are very close to completion. The Guidelines and Practice Note will provide a very useful tool to councils, consultants and property owners who have areas of land slide susceptibility. Public exhibition for the guidelines and practice note have been undertaken in consultation with the National Reference Group. For more information Click Here

Current Projects

Current projects the Group is undertaking includes being  very active in promoting greater public consultation with Local Government and the community on finding the appropriate mix of solutions to address a potential water shortage in Sydney. See projects page for details.

The SCCG Strategic Plan 2005-2008 has been developed through consultation with elected representatives and staff of Member Councils. The plan contains 5 new outcome statements to focus SCCG activities and will guide the work of the SCCG for the next three years. Copies will be available on the wedsite soon.

The SCCG Secretariat has been pursuing a MOU partnership program with the Department of Physical Geography at Macquarie University. The program is focussing on Sydney based climate change research, capacity buidling and Member Council involvement in undergraduate and post graduate programs.

The Sydney Coastal Councils Group and the Institute of Environmental Studies, UNSW have established an Environmental Partnership Program in 2004. The partnership program aims to improve Local Government’s ability to work more sustainably by engaging Masters students to undertake identified research programs on behalf of Member Councils.

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Publications

The Group has a number of useful resources that are available for purchase online.  Resources include documents relating to wetland management, stormwater management and the Group's Strategic Plan. Contact the Group's Secretariat for more information.

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