The importance of managing Sydney Harbour
Sydney Harbour is one of the world’s most iconic urban waterways. It is highly valued both locally and internationally for its beautiful beaches and parks, numerous recreational opportunities and significant Aboriginal and European heritage. The harbour also plays a vital role as a working port, a premier tourist destination and a haven for diverse marine life.
Yet, like many urban waterways, however, the harbour faces threats such as stormwater pollution, sewage overflows, litter and coastal inundation. These threats are likely to intensify with continued population growth, urban expansion and the impacts of climate change.
To address these threats and protect the harbour’s values, the Sydney Coastal Councils Group (SCCG) is preparing a coastal management program (CMP) for outer Sydney Harbour. This initiative is being undertaken in partnership with local councils and state agencies, with financial assistance from the NSW Coastal and Estuary Grants Program.
The CMP will provide a long-term direction for the coordinated management of the coastal zone in outer Sydney Harbour. Through a series of targeted actions, the CMP aims to enhance ecological health, improve public amenity and strengthen resilience to coastal hazards, ensuring the harbour remains a vibrant and sustainable asset for generations to come.
A staged approach to coastal management programs
In 2016, the NSW Government introduced the NSW Coastal Management Framework to support thriving and resilient coastal communities. CMPs are the primary means of implementing the framework in accordance with the Coastal Management Act 2016 and the NSW Coastal Management Manual in order to provide for the coordinated management of coasts and estuaries.
CMPs are prepared and implemented based on a staged approach.
Stage 1 was completed by the Greater Sydney Local Land Services in 2018 as reported in the Greater Sydney Harbour Estuary Coastal Management Program Scoping Study.
Stage 2-4 is being undertaken now by SCCG and consultants. It will conclude with a CMP report that is expected to be adopted by council partners, supported by state agencies and certified by the Minister for the Environment.
Stage 5 will involve the ongoing implementation of actions listed in the certified CMP.
Study area
Sydney Harbour is a drowned river estuary stretching from the tidal limits of the Parramatta River and its tributaries to the ocean entrance between North and South Head.
Sydney Harbour can be divided into the inner harbour comprising Parramatta River and Lane Cove River to the west, and the outer harbour extending eastwards from the confluence of the Parramatta River and Lane Cove River to encompass Port Jackson, Middle Harbour and North Harbour.
The study area for the Outer Sydney Harbour CMP encompasses the coastal use area within:
- the local government areas (LGAs) of City of Sydney, Ku-ring-gai, Mosman, North Sydney, Northern Beaches, Willoughby and Woollahra
- Sydney Harbour National Park, including harbour islands, and Garigal National Park
- Sydney Water’s area of operations
The study area comprises a variety of built and natural foreshore environments. These include sandy beaches, rocky foreshores, mangrove wetlands and saltmarsh, littoral rainforest and coastal cliffs. It also encompasses public assets and private development affected by coastal processes such as seawalls, open space, roads, buildings and utility services.
The CMP will also consider the catchment that drains to the harbour to the extent that any actions proposed for the catchment are able to benefit the coastal zone, help achieve the management objectives for coastal management areas and the objects of the Coastal Management Act 2016, and assist in addressing key coastal management issues. This includes actions within that part of the Waverley LGA that drains to the harbour.
CMP process
Opportunities and options for site- or LGA-specific actions related to water quality improvement, litter prevention, beach management and coastal wetland and rainforest management will be identified. Coordinated and regionally consistent approaches to coastal adaptation, seawalls, emergency management and monitoring will also be developed. The CMP will draw on work undertaken as part of Greater Sydney Harbour CMP Stages 1 and 2.
SCCG has recently accepted an offer of $369,121 in grant funding from the NSW Coastal & Estuary Grants Program to undertake CMP Stage 2-4. This will be combined with financial contributions from eight partner councils and the NPWS and used to engage a specialist consultant to undertake the bulk of the work required.
The consultant is expected to commence in early to mid-2025. The work is expected to take approximately three years to complete.
Further announcements will be made on how the local community and relevant stakeholders can get involved during the development of the CMP.
A collaborative approach to coastal management
Management of Sydney Harbour is complex and multi-layered. There are numerous local councils, state authorities and some Commonwealth agencies each with varying management, regulatory and land ownership roles.
The successful development of the Outer Sydney Harbour CMP relies on close collaboration with project partners and external stakeholders. This will help ensure CMP actions are coordinated and regionally consistent.
Project Control Group
The Outer Sydney Harbour CMP Stage 2-4 project is overseen by a project control group led by SCCG. The project control group comprises representatives from the following 11 project partners.
Consultative Panel
A Consultative Panel has been established that assists SCCG and the Project Control Group by helping guide community engagement, providing feedback on draft CMP deliverables and helping ensure the community’s views are considered in the CMP.
The Consultative Panel comprises a councillor from each of the eight participating local councils, as well as a representative from the Sydney Institute of Marine Science (SIMS) and from the Greater Sydney Regional Advisory Committee of the NSW National Parks & Wildlife Service (NPWS). A standing invitation is also offered to Local Aboriginal Land Councils to attend.
The Consultative Panel meetings will be convened by the SCCG project team and held at key points during the CMP project.
What is a Coastal Management Program (CMP)?
CMPs are designed to set out a long-term strategy for the coordinated management of the coast. CMPs identify coastal risks and opportunities, evaluate options to address those risks and opportunities, and recommend actions that can be implemented by councils and state agencies.
*Note that Professor Bruce Thom is no longer a member of the NSW Coastal Council.
What is the purpose of a CMP?
A CMP sets the long-term direction for the coordinated management of the coastal zone consistent with the aims of the Coastal Management Act 2016. A CMP contains actions that can to be progressively implemented to help protect and restore coastal environments, reduce risk from coastal hazards and enhance the scenic, social and cultural values of the coast.
You can find out more detailed information about CMPs here.
Who is developing the OSH CMP?
Development of the Outer Sydney Harbour CMP Stage 2-4 is being project managed by the SCCG and overseen by a project control group comprising representatives from eight local councils and three state agencies. The SCCG has engaged the specialist consultant, Rhelm, to prepare the CMP.
What are some of the key items the CMP will consider?
The Outer Sydney Harbour CMP will focus mainly on the harbour foreshore and on issues relevant to and under the control of partner councils and state agencies.
The CMP will examine site- and LGA-specific issues such as stormwater and sewage pollution, litter, coastal hazards affecting beaches, wetlands, rainforest and cliffs, and tidal and coastal inundation with sea level rise. The CMP will also consider regional issues associated with seawalls, coastal adaptation, monitoring and governance.
Why is this project focussing on outer Sydney Harbour and not Greater Sydney Harbour?
The SCCG, in consultation with partner councils and state agencies, chose to focus on outer Sydney Harbour following the conclusion of CMP Stage 2 work for Greater Sydney Harbour (GSH) CMP in late 2022.
SCCG commenced GSH CMP Stage 2 in 2021 as a partnership with the Parramatta River Catchment Group (PRCG) and 20 councils across the Greater Sydney Harbour catchment. GSH CMP Stage 2 considered issues and actions associated with stormwater management, sea level rise, governance, funding and monitoring, culminating in a recommendations report submitted to the Minister for Local Government.
The GSH CMP did not, however, progress further due to project governance and funding issues, leading SCCG to rescope the CMP to focus on outer Sydney Harbour. The findings from the GSH CMP Stage 2 work will still be considered in this project.
What support is the NSW Government providing?
The NSW Government, primarily through the NSW Department of Energy, the Environment, Climate Change and Water (DCCEEW), is providing technical and financial support to SCCG in preparing the CMP.
How long will the project take?
It is anticipated the preparation of a final CMP will be completed by late 2027.
How will actions in the CMP be implemented?
The CMP will contain a prioritised and costed list of actions that must be agreed to by partner councils and relevant state agencies prior to formal adoption, certification and gazettal of the CMP. These actions will be progressively implemented through Council’s integrated planning and supporting framework (IP&R) and the landuse planning system.
How will the CMP benefit me?
The CMP will provide the community confidence that coastal issues facing the outer harbour can be addressed and the outer harbour’s values protected. The ongoing, long-term implementation of CMP actions will help improve water quality, prevent litter, protect and enhance the harbour’s natural assets and adapt to increasing tidal and coastal inundation.
Why do I need to register to this site to make a comment?
While registration is not required to access this website, it is necessary for many of the more interactive engagement opportunities because:
- it promotes accountability and encourages more thoughtful responses
- it allows you to save your response and come back to it later
- we can let you know any news about the consultation
Register your interest for community consultation to the OSH CMP here.
How can I participate in the CMP project?
We encourage you to subscribe to our newsletter to keep informed of upcoming opportunities to have your say.
For local residents and property owners within the CMP study area, you are welcome to contact your local council as well as your councillor representative on the Consultative Panel.
OSH CMP Vision
To protect and enhance the Outer Sydney Harbour as one of the world’s most outstanding natural harbours – valued for its scenic beauty, cultural heritage, biodiversity, and recreational and economic contributions – through collaborative, evidence-based, and resilient coastal management that respects cultural values, addresses risks, and embraces opportunities for a sustainable future.
Project Partners
The OSH CMP is a multi-council and cross-agency program led by the SCCG in collaboration with five member Councils including Willoughby, Woollahra, Waverley, North Sydney, Northern Beaches Councils and 3 non-member Councils including Mosman, City of Sydney and Ku-ring-gai Council alongside two state agencies, Sydney Water and NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS).
The study area for the Outer Sydney Harbour CMP is the coastal zone that extends eastwards from the confluence of the Parramatta River and Lane Cove River to the harbour entrance between North and South Head. It encompasses Port Jackson and Middle Harbour extending northwards to the tidal limit of Middle Harbour Creek. It crosses seven local government areas and includes parts of Sydney Harbour National Park and Garigal National Park.
The CMP will focus on the harbour foreshore and issues directly relevant to and under the control of participating councils as well as key state agencies like National Parks & Wildlife Service and Sydney Water. Stormwater and sewage pollution, litter, coastal inundation and degraded seawalls are key issues to be addressed.
