The value of a place can be considered in economic terms, such as land values. For natural resource management in the coastal zone, value is also used to describe scientific attributes, such as significant habitats or threatened species; and social values such as the community's sense of place, or places with outstanding views or places that are associated with important historical or contemporary events, or places that generate important employment opportunities.

Some examples of community values for the coastline could include:

1. Habitat for migratory wading birds
2. Reefs and shoals that are important fish habitat (some of these are incorporated into Marine Park in the south of the Shoalhaven City coastline);
3. Endangered ecological communities on headlands and dunes;
4. Safe, patrolled swimming areas for families;
5. Challenging waves for experienced surfers;
6. Peaceful beach and headland walks, with excellent coastal views or through scenic bushland;
7. Places that offer experiences with a wilderness feel (although they may not be very remote from settlement);
8. Aboriginal sites and places;
9. Places associated with historic events, such as shipwrecks or early fishing ports;
10. Places that offer traditional holiday accommodation;
11. Places that offer new, stylish resorts for visitors, and employment for locals;
12. Village atmosphere;
13. Places with good recreational fishing;

Some of these natural and social values are very vulnerable.This means that they are easily degraded or are affected by unacceptable change, with only a small amount of development pressure or coastal process impacts.

Other values are quite resilient to coastal processes, or the community has more flexible aspirations. For sustainable coastline management, the overall value of the coastline must be maintained. The values of the coastline will be carefully defined during consultation with local communities.

Once we understand the values that communities wish to take into the future, the objectives of the coastline management plan become clear.