Woolgoolga Lake Estuary Coastal Zone Management Plan (7.9MB)

Key Values of Woolgoolga Lake EstuaryThe natural settings of the estuaries and coast within the Mid North Coast are a feature that attracts visitorsand locals to the area. Woolgoolga Lake estuary is in keeping with this natural setting, and forms part of anetwork of bushland settings along the coastal zone of the Coffs Harbour region.Key values of the estuary include its natural setting and recreational opportunities including the public picnicarea adjacent to the lake and the walking and cycling track network. A key focus of recreational activityoccurs at the public picnic area adjacent to the Woolgoolga Lakeside Holiday Park. The area has a long openforeshore that allows easy, soft water entry for swimming and canoe / kayak launching.The close proximity of residential communities and the variety of natural settings around Woolgoolga Lakecombine to create a broad range of passive land and water based recreational opportunities that optimise thescenic potential of the area. The sites attributes create a highly attractive and popular recreation destinationfor the local and wider community.The majority of the foreshores around the lake comprise a continuous edge of natural vegetation, oftenextending well back from the foreshores and rising up adjoining slopes. This mostly intact and healthy riparianvegetation contributes significantly to the value and health of the estuary.Water quality in the lake shows high levels of variability common to this type of estuary. However, the waterquality is generally acceptable for primary contact recreation and protection of aquatic ecosystems.The entrance to the Woolgoolga Lake estuary naturally alternates between being open or closed to theocean. These types of estuaries are known as an ICOLL’s - Intermittently Closed and Open Lakes andLagoons.Key Management IssuesThe key estuary management issues that have been identified relate to: the estuary entrance which naturally alternates between being open or closed to the ocean. The issuerelates to artificial opening of the entrance to address flood mitigation while minimising interference withthe natural opening and closing regime and associated estuary processes; sediment, nutrient and other pollutant inputs from the catchment; recreational activities and other practices that have the potential to impact on riparian vegetation anddegrade the recreational experience and scenic / natural amenity of the lake; climate change impacts (particularly sea level rise and consequent lake water level increases) on theestuarine ecology and water quality; and the need to upgrade and manage existing recreational facilities and opportunities to enhance andprotect the recreational experience offered by Woolgoolga Lake.Key Management StrategiesKey management strategies for Woolgoolga Lake estuary include: adoption of an entrance management policy that addresses flood mitigation issues but minimisesinterference with the natural opening and closing regime of the lake. The entrance managementstrategy also includes minimising the need for artificial entrance opening in the long-term by activemeasures such as removing flooding risks to low-lying infrastructure; a range of actions addressing soil erosion, stormwater management and pesticide / herbicide / fertiliseruse in agricultural activities; undertaking better maintenance practices and restoring riparian vegetation in poorly or inappropriatelymaintained areas such as the southern foreshores of the lake;Coastal Zone Management Plan - Woolgoolga Lake Estuary1616-10045