Kempsey Shire Council secures $130,000 in funding to further develop Coastal Management Program

Kempsey Shire Council has secured $130,000 from the NSW Government to further develop its coastal management actions.

The funding application began earlier this year.

Kempsey Shire Council Coordinator Strategic & Environmental Planning, Steve Schwartz, said the funding will help Council develop its Coastal Management Program (CMP).

"The program is being developed as a long term strategy," he said.

"It will set out a list of actions for our coast and estuary areas.

"Funding will also enable us to work with the community to mitigate coastal risks including storms, rising sea levels and coastal erosion, helping to protect our coastlines and better prepare our coastal communities for hazards."

The community engagement component of the CMP is scheduled to begin next year.

"As part of preparation for the CMP we're working with multiple State government stakeholders with significant community engagement in the future," Mr Schwartz added.

"Currently, we're at the risk assessment component with community engagement scheduled for next year.

"That'll be fairly broad ranging and likely involve online engagement and on-site community engagement activities.

"Everyone has an interest in our coast and estuary - our coastline forms a big part of the community's character."

Minister for Local Government Shelley Hancock said the risk assessment for its CMP is vital for the future planning and management of key coastal community assets in the region.

"This $130,000 funding will help Kempsey Shire Council to further develop their CMP, designed to better manage and protect its local coastline," Mrs Hancock said.

"The council will undertake investigations and engagement activities to inform a full scale risk assessment to identify and evaluate management options for its CMP.

"This is a very good example of how the NSW Government's Coastal and Estuary Grants Program planning stream supports local government to understand the complex coastal and estuarine environment."

Member for Oxley Melinda Pavey said Kempsey Shire Council's risk assessment includes analysing the likelihood of various threats, pressures and consequences to environmental, social and economic values in the coastal zone in order to protect it for future generations to enjoy.

"The program aims to increase coastal resilience and improve the health of NSW estuaries through well-planned action."

"This long-term investment supports Kempsey Shire Council, which has the primary role of managing coastal and estuarine issues for our community," Ms Pavey said.

Councils can apply for grants to undertake planning at any time during the year, while implementation work grants can be made annually in a contestable round.

Find out more about the NSW Government's Coastal and Estuary Grants Program at www.environment.nsw.gov.au/grants

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