|
|
Within the
Bega Valley Shire there are twenty five estuaries. These
estuaries are arguably the Shires premier natural assets and have
vital ecological, recreational, social and environmental values.
There is a unique diversity of estuary types represented within
Bega Valley Shire; ranging from large riverine estuaries (Bega &
Bermagui Rivers), large coastal lakes (Wallaga, Merimbula and
Pambula lakes) and small ICOLL’s ( Baragoot Lake, Middle Lake and
Bournda Lagoon).
Bega Valley Shire Council’s Estuary Program has
been running for over a decade. In that time Council has embarked on
the development of formal estuary management plans for:
Council is also currently examining ways to best
manage and protect the many estuaries that are not part of the
formal Estuary Management Planning process, to ensure that all our
estuarine assets and their individual values are recognised and
conserved. |
|
The NSW Department of Natural Resources administers the State Estuary Management Program,
with Council being responsible for local program implementation
following a process identified in the NSW Estuary Management Manual. The
aim of the NSW Estuary Management Program is " to achieve integrated,
balanced, responsible and ecologically sustainable use of the states
estuaries within an overall catchment management perspective".
The NSW Estuary Management Program promotes the
development of estuary management plans as a method of coordinating the
management and long term sustainable use of estuarine systems.
|
