Central Coast Council is developing Coastal Management Programs to guide the long-term care of our coast and waterways in line with the NSW Coastal Management Framework.
Coming soon: Public exhibition for our Open Coast Coastal Management Program (CMP)
Monday 14 July 2025 - Monday 25 August 2025
Working together to protect what we love
Our coastal environments are where biodiversity thrives and communities come together—places of natural wonder, cultural heritage, and everyday connection. From the still waters of our lagoons to the open stretch of our beaches, these spaces support wildlife, recreation, and local identity. But they’re also facing growing pressures from erosion, pollution, and development. Central Coast Council is responding with five Coastal Management Programs that reflect community values and local knowledge, guiding the long-term care and protection of our waterways.
What is a Coastal Management Program?
Coastal Management Programs (CMPs) are Council’s blueprint for protecting our coastlines—designed to be practical, evidence-based, and shaped by the community. Developed under the NSW Coastal Management Framework and required by law, CMPs help ensure every coastal council is working toward a shared vision for the future. Once certified by the NSW Government, they unlock funding, improve coordination across agencies, and pave the way for smarter, more effective coastal action.
Each CMP follows five key stages:
- Scoping Study – Define issues, establish governance, and set the vision
- Technical Studies – Gather scientific evidence about coastal hazards, ecosystem health, uses, values, and threats
- Options Evaluation – Identify and assess management options with input from stakeholders and the community
- Exhibition and Finalisation – Place the draft CMP on public exhibition and incorporate feedback before submission to the NSW Government
- Implementation and Evaluation – Deliver the actions, monitor outcomes, and report on progress.
Our five Coastal Management Programs
Open Coast
- Stage 1: Completed (Sep 2021)
- Stage 2: Completed (Apr 2024)
- Stage 3: Completed (Mar 2025)
- Stage 4: Active (Draft CMP on exhibition 14 July – 25 August 2025)
Coastal Lagoons
- Stage 1: Completed (Sep 2021)
- Stage 2: Completed (Apr 2024)
- Stage 3: In progress (Due Dec 2025)
Tuggerah Lakes
- Stage 1: Completed (Jul 2021)
- Stage 2: In progress (Due Dec 2025)
- Stage 3: In progress (Due Dec 2026)
Hawkesbury-Nepean River System including Brisbane Water
- Stage 1: Completed (Apr 2020)
- Stage 2: Completed (Mar 2023)
- Stage 3: In progress (Due Jul 2025)
Lake Macquarie
- Stage 1–4: Completed (Certified Sep 2023)
- Stage 5: Implementation underway
Community engagement and public exhibition
| Region | Stage 1 Engagement | Stage 2/3 Engagement | Draft on Public Exhibition |
|---|---|---|---|
| Open Coast | ✅ Completed | ✅ Completed | 🟡 Coming soon: 14 July 2025 – 25 August 2025 |
| Tuggerah Lakes | ✅ Completed | 🟡 Coming soon | |
| Coastal Lagoons | ✅ Completed | 🟡 Coming soon | |
| Hawkesbury-Nepean River System | ✅ Completed | ✅ Completed | 🟡 Coming soon |
| Lake Macquarie | ✅ Completed | ✅ Completed | ✅ Completed |
Community engagement is at the heart of CMP development. Council has worked hard to ensure local voices are heard and reflected throughout every stage of planning. In Phase 1, Council conducted a region-wide engagement process to better understand the community’s values, concerns, and priorities for all coastal and estuarine systems. Over 1,100 community members participated through surveys, mapping tools, and feedback forms — helping to build a shared vision for the future of our coast and waterways.
View the full Phase 1 Community Engagement Report
Since then, more targeted engagement activities have been held for each CMP as they progress through later stages. These include:
- Pop-up events and drop-in sessions at beaches, lagoons, and local markets
- Stakeholder workshops and advisory committees
- Online surveys and interactive maps
- Community Focus Groups.
Council is committed to transparent, inclusive engagement and encourages everyone to get involved in the process.
All engagement is conducted through our Your Voice Our Coast website.