Coastal Management

Our coastal management consulting involves managing the risks of natural and human impacts on the integrity of coastal areas such as beaches, estuaries and lagoons.

Australia’s coasts and estuaries are increasingly under threat from climate change, urbanisation and other impacts. These impacts affect the social and environmental integrity of our coastline. Examples of specific impacts which may be encountered in coastal areas include erosion as a result of storms and rising sea levels, nutrient enrichment of the water body and associated aquatic and terrestrial ecological impacts (i.e. weeds, poor water quality), and reduced cover of aquatic vegetation due to recreational activities. Using our broad environmental, ecological and natural hazard consulting capabilities, we can assess coastal risks, identify risk management options and develop coastal management strategies, working with coastal communities and other stakeholders. Our scientific and technical understanding of ecology, natural resources, climate change and hydrology is highly regarded both nationally and internationally and our networking with Australian and international research organisations means we remain abreast of all the latest research and best practice advancements in managing ecological and other risks.

In particular, we offer the following skills to help improve coastal management:

• Risk analysis
• Coastal geomorphology
• Community and stakeholder engagement 
• Workshop facilitation 
• GIS mapping and other spatial analysis
• Flood risk management 
• Environmental assessment
• Environmental evaluations
• Option evaluation
• Business planning
• Emergency management
• Strategic planning

For competitive coastal management services phone Molino Stewart on +61 2 9354 0300 or contact us by email.

Some examples of recent projects include:

Ballina Shire Coastline Coastal Management Program

Ballina Shire’s coastline, spanning from Patches Beach in the south to Seven Mile Beach in the north, is a major asset for the LGA. This coastal zone provides a stunning natural environment, areas of cultural significance, a multitude of social and recreational benefits, and is a key contributor to the regional economy. However, the coastal zone is facing increasing pressure from coastal hazards, population growth and climate change. Molino Stewart and Water Technology worked with Ballina Shire Council to prepare a Coastal Management Program (CMP) under the NSW Coastal Management Framework to address current and future risks and enhance the coordinated management of the coastal zone within its LGA. The CMP is an opportunity to develop a strategic, long-term approach to coastal management, and maintain the health of the coast for current and future generations. It includes extensive engagement with the local community and user groups, relevant government agencies, and develops a business case and forward program for the CMP.

Kempsey LGA Estuary Entrance Management Plans

Due to their naturally changing entrance conditions, Intermittently Closed and Open Lakes and Lagoons (ICOLLs) face a range of social and environmental pressures. For these reasons, many ICOLLs are artificially opened to the ocean, which can result in unintended adverse impacts on estuary health. Estuary Entrance Management Plans (EMPs) were required in Kempsey Shire to enable Council and the community to plan how the estuary entrance should be best managed to ensure sustainable environmental and management outcomes for the estuaries. In conjunction with Water Technology, we worked with various stakeholders including residents, indigenous groups, and Council to identify the key coastal management issues affecting the ICOLLs. The EMPs will be included in the Appendix of the Kempsey LGA Coastal Management Program.

Woolgoolga Region Estuaries Coastal Management Program

Molino Stewart in partnership with Water Technology has draft ed the Woolgoolga Region Estuaries CoastalManagement Program which is now on public exhibiti on. The draft Program identi fi es the management issuesand risks, and presents a series of management opti ons to miti gate these risks. These have been summarisedin the Program into a series of key acti ons to help improve the future health and enhance the leisureopportuniti es of Darkum Creek, Woolgoolga Lake, Willis Creek and Hearnes Lake. Extensive community andstakeholder consultati on was used in the preparati on of the Program. More details about the draft Programcan be found here Draft Woolgoolga Region Estuaries Management Plan on Exhibiti on | Coff s Harbour City Council (nsw.gov.au)

Hawkesbury River System Coastal Management Program – Stage 1

The Hawkesbury Coastal Management Program is intended to be a whole-of-system program and covers hundreds of kilometres of tidal waterways including the major estuaries of Brisbane Water, Pittwater, and the Hawkesbury River System up to the tidal limit 140 km inland at Yarramundi. In conjunction with Water Technology, we worked with six local councils and numerous other stakeholders to assess the current and future risks to the Hawkesbury River System, develop a community and stakeholder engagement plan and prepare a scoping report that can be used in subsequent stages of the Program.

Bundaberg Region Coastal Hazard Adaptation Strategy – Phases 1 to 8

The Bundaberg region has been subject to several extreme events and its coastal communities are vulnerable to impacts from coastal hazards such as coastal erosion and storm tide inundation. It is anticipated the impacts from a changing climate will exacerbate these problems. We conducted detailed analysis of coastal risks, developed and assessed risk management options for those communities with future intolerable risks, and designed and facilitated several community and stakeholder workshops.

Community Consultation for Lake Macquarie Foreshore Floodplain Risk Management Study and Plan

We provided specialist community consultation services. This consultation was particularly challenging due to the impact of sea level rise on flood projections and the perceived changes to property values. We designed and then implemented a community engagement plan in consultation with Council.

Amity Point Shoreline Erosion Management Implementation Project

Amity Point, a township on North Stradbroke Island, is at risk of losing more foreshore to channel processes. To minimise erosion, boulders are placed strategically as part of a shoreline erosion management plan. We consulted with residents and other stakeholders regarding issues related to the implementation of the shoreline erosion management plan. We also conducted an economic analysis of erosion management options. For assistance with all aspects of Coastal Management please call Molino Stewart on +61 (02) 9354 0300