The Shoalhaven City Coastline Management Plan will be based on a series of engineering, ecological and planning studies, enhanced by the participation of local people.

Detailed studies and local consultation will be conducted in five sectors of the coast:

Northern Shoalhaven - Culburra and Shoalhaven Heads.

Southern Shoalhaven - Lake Conjola, Narrawallee, Sussex Inlet and St Georges Basin.

Jervis Bay, Callala and Vincentia.

Far South Shoalhaven - North Durras to Burrill Lake.

Ulladulla and Mollymook.

Key tasks include:

1. Form a coastal zone committee representing local Council, community and agency interests. Shoalhaven City's Coastal Management Committee has an advisory role and works with five local area natural resources and floodplain management committees that Council has established for the City. Jointly these groups contribute to the preparation of natural resource management plans for estuaries, coastal lakes, coastal floodplains and the coastline;


2. Understand natural, social, cultural and economic values of the coastline - what's important scientifically and to the community? Information will be obtained from review of scientific and technical studies and from discussion with local communities about what is important to them;


3. Identify issues and set goals - what is the Plan going to deliver? What can change and what should not?


4. Undertake studies of coastal processes and hazards - how are beaches and dunes affected by storm erosion and by sea level change? Are cliffs and bluffs stable? Council completed a preliminary Coastline Hazard Definition Study in 2004. The detailed coastal hazard studies that were recommended in this review of existing information will be conducted during the preperation of the Coastline Management Plan;


5. Understand other activities or decisions that affect coastal values, such as increasing visitor and permanent population numbers, changing aspirations and requirements for recreation and housing, etc;


6. Consider options to manage threats and hazards - which ones best help to maintain the most important values and contribute to a net benefit for current community and future generations?


7. Agree on a Plan, who is responsible for implementation, how co-ordination will be achieved, how success will be measured and how the Plan will be reviewed;


8. Obtain funding and commence implementation; and


9. Monitor progress and review the Plan as necessary when new information becomes available.