Wollongong City Council and Shellharbour City Council have been working collaboratively with the NSW Government to manage the entrance channel of Lake Illawarra.
The Lake Illawarra Entrance Options Study was developed as an action in the Lake Illawarra Coastal Management Program in response to community feedback.
The study is looking at options to manage erosion that has occurred since Lake Illawarra was permanently opened by the Lake Illawarra Authority in 2007 after extensive lobbying to address water quality concerns.
Regular tidal flushing and better management of pollution sources in the catchment have improved the Lake's water quality, however, this has resulted in accelerated lakebed and foreshore erosion.
See our June release: Study of options to manage erosion at the Lake's entrance
The community is now invited to review and provide feedback on a shortlist of five options.
Lord Mayor of Wollongong Councillor Tania Brown said management of the lake is complex and any solution would involve compromise.
"What we face today is a legacy of permanently opening the lake in 2007,'' Cr Brown said.
"Lake Illawarra means many things to many people. For some, it's the backdrop for home or work, for others, it's a place for fishing and recreation, and to others it holds important cultural value.
"Balancing these values whilst protecting the lakes significant environmental conservation areas, along with supporting broader opportunities to grow the local economy through tourism is a challenge.
"No matter which option is pursued, any major work to manage erosion at the entrance will impact these uses and values. It's a trade-off and one that is not undertaken lightly."
Shellharbour City Mayor Chris Homer echoed these sentiments.
"The shortlisted options being considered include weir and groyne structures to stop or slow water," he said.
"While each option will reduce erosion and tidal currents, they will also impact social, environmental and economic values like recreational safety, fish passage, flooding, boating access and cultural heritage.
"As part of our decision making, we want to hear what the community values about the lake and their feedback on the options."
Community feedback on the options is welcome before 20 December 2024.
This is the time for input from a wide range of residents, visitors, lake users and stakeholders to help us prioritise and find the option that best balances benefits with potential impacts.
To get involved:
- Visit either https://our.wollongong.nsw.gov.au/ or https://letschatshellharbour.com/ to read the full reports and supporting documents, find answers to some frequently asked questions and share what matters to you in the future management of the Lake Illawarra Entrance.
