Council is undertaking a review of its entrance management policies for several key estuaries within the Shoalhaven.
The policies identify the trigger levels and procedures in which Council opens the entrances of waterways to the ocean, to assist with flood mitigation.
The draft Shoalhaven River Entrance Management Policy (EMP) is now on public exhibition following the completion of a series of technical studies. Council will be reviewing other EMPs later this year.
"Residents who live around these waterways are acutely aware of the impact of flooding in their neighbourhood during times of heavy rainfall," said Mayor Patricia White.
"While the Entrance Management Policy won't prevent flooding from occurring, it will help Council to make timely decisions that can reduce the flood impact in those low-lying areas," Cr White said.
"It is important that the community is aware of the legislative and environmental considerations that have informed the entrance management options identified within these EMP documents," she said.
The community is invited to provide submissions on the draft Shoalhaven River EMP until Sunday 23 March 2025, prior to the document being finalised.
To help explain the complexities of entrance management, Council has also prepared a brief, educational video that covers how the entrance to the Shoalhaven River naturally behaves, how Council manages the river entrance and why the entrance is not opened outside of flood conditions.
The EMP takes into consideration a range of environmental factors and includes the outcome of an evidence-based, technical review of the trigger levels to inform entrance management options. It has been developed in consultation with several NSW Government agencies.
All estuary entrances in the Shoalhaven are located on land owned by NSW Crown Lands. Council is only permitted to mechanically open entrances in accordance with the trigger levels and conditions contained within EMPs, and the relevant NSW Crown Lands licence.
The Shoalhaven River EMP, supporting documents and educational video can now be viewed on Council's Get Involved website.
To make a submission on the Shoalhaven River EMP, visit Council's Documents on Exhibition web page.
To receive updates on the Shoalhaven River EMP, and the upcoming entrance management policy reviews, subscribe to the Get Involved webpage.