About the project

Shellharbour’s coastal zone is one of the region’s most valuable natural and community assets. With its scenic beaches, rugged headlands, and diverse waterways, our coastline provides a stunning natural environment and is the corner stone of the coastal lifestyle that is cherished by local and visitor alike.

However, the coast is under growing pressure. Natural hazards, population growth, and the impacts of climate change are placing increased stress on the natural environment, public infrastructure, and coastal communities.

In response, Shellharbour City Council is developing a Coastal Management Program (CMP). This plan will guide the long-term care, protection, and sustainable use of the coastal zone, helping to ensure it remains healthy, resilient, and accessible for future generations.

The CMP covers all of Shellharbour’s coastline, from Windang Island in the north to the southern end of Shellharbour South Beach. Key areas include:

  • Warilla Beach
  • Elliott Lake
  • Shellharbour North Beach
  • Nuns Beach
  • Shellharbour Boat Harbour and Shell Cove Boat Harbour
  • Shellharbour South Beach
  • Gadhu Beach

While areas like Bass Point, Minnamurra Beach (Mystics), and Killalea are managed by the NSW Government, the CMP will also provide input and advice on their future management.

The program is being developed in accordance with the NSW Coastal Management Framework and is supported by technical and funding assistance from the NSW Government Coastal and Estuary Grants Program.

Shellharbour beach patrolled
Shellharbour North beach
Shelharbour Beach

CMP Stages

The CMP is being prepared through a five-stage process:
Stage 1 identify and scope of CMP. Stage 2 Determine risks, vulnerabilities and opportunities, stage 3 identify and evaluate options. Stage 4 Prepare, exhibit, finalise, certify and adopt CMP. Stage 5 Implement, monitor, evaluate and report.

  • Timeline item 1 - complete

    Stage 1 - Identify the scope of a CMP

    This stage identified key coastal issues, values and knowledge gaps. Feedback from the community and stakeholders helped shape the Scoping Study, which was adopted by Council on 27 June 2023. You can read the final report here.

  • Timeline item 2 - complete

    Stage 2- Investigations and Studies

    This stage builds on the work from Stage 1 by investigating key coastal issues in more detail. Council is carrying out a series of technical studies using up-to-date data and methods to better understand the causes, extent, and impacts of these issues. The studies will help identify risks, vulnerabilities, and opportunities to inform the next stage of the CMP.

    You can view the studies here.

  • Timeline item 3 - active

    Stage 3 - Identify and Evaluate Management Options

    (Late 2025 – Early 2026)

    Using the findings from Stage 2, Council will develop a list of potential management actions to address key issues and explore new opportunities for managing the coast. Community input will play a key role during this stage, with opportunities to participate through online engagement and drop-in sessions. This feedback will help identify, assess, and prioritise the options.

  • Timeline item 4 - incomplete

    Stage 4 - Prepare the CMP

    (Mid–Late 2026)

    Stage 4 will involve preparing the final CMP document, which will outline the recommended management actions, along with their associated responsibilities, timeframes, and estimated costs for implementation. The draft CMP will be placed on public exhibition for community review and feedback.

  • Timeline item 5 - incomplete

    Stage 5 - Implementation

    (2026–2036)

    Once adopted, the CMP will guide Council and other stakeholders in delivering coastal management actions over a 10-year period. This includes projects that protect ecosystems, safeguard public infrastructure from current and future hazards, and maintain safe and sustainable access to the coast for the community.

FAQ's

The CMP will establish a long-term strategy for managing our coastline and coastal waterways. It will identify the key issues and risks affecting our coastal zone - both now and into the future - and outline a 10-year program of actions Council will take to address these challenges and support the coast’s ongoing adaptation in a changing world.

These actions will help safeguard the natural beauty, ecological health, and cultural values of our coast, ensuring it remains a place for people and nature to thrive for generations to come.

A CMP considers current coastal conditions, as well as historic and potential future events related to population growth, climate change and the environment. CMP’s identify coastal management issues and the actions required to address these issues in a strategic and integrated way. It will also detail how and when those actions will be implemented, the cost, and funding mechanisms.

CMPs are developed in accordance with the Coastal Management Program Legislation and guided by the NSW State Government's Coastal Management Manual.

Previously, Council was guided by the Coastal Zone Management Plan (CZMP) 2018 to provide direction for management of the open coast (excluding estuaries). This expired in December of 2023.

In 2018, the NSW Coastal Management Act 2016 commenced. Under this new Act, coastal councils are required to prepare Coastal Management Programs to replace the old coastal zone management plans and estuary management plans.

We are bow starting Stage 3.


This stage is all about hearing from the community. We want to know your priorities for the CMP. During the engagement period, we will be undertaking a series of "drop-in" style informaiton session and feedback opportunities. As well as an online survey hosted on this page. These spaces are your opportunity to share your feedback and inform the final CMP.

Stay involved in the CMP by clicking the yellow +Follow button at the top of this page and participating in our drop-in session or online engagement happening in March 2026.

This participation will help shape and prioritise management options by allowing Council to understand the community's priorities.

This stage involves a range of technical studies to deepen our understanding of coastal issues and support future planning.

Studies of the Open Coastline
• Open Coast Geotechnical Study Update
• Open Coast Beach Erosion Hazard Study
• Aboriginal Coastal Cultural Values Study
• Open Coast Risk Assessment Summary


Studies of Elliott Lake
• Estuary Health Condition Assessment
• Vegetation Mapping and Bank Erosion Assessment
• Physical Processes and Sea Level Rise Vulnerability Study
• Engineering Condition Assessment of rock armoured coastal structures
• Elliott Lake Risk Assessment Summary


View the completed studies here.

Using the findings from Stage 2, Council has developed a list of more than 60 potential management actions to address key coastal issues and explore future opportunities.

Stage 3 places the community at the centre of this process. Community insight and stakeholder feedback will play a critical role in assessing and prioritising these options. Participation is encouraged through both online engagement and scheduled drop‑in sessions, ensuring the community’s voice informs the future direction of coastal management.

Stage 2 - Investigations and Reports

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Stage 1 - Scoping study & Past Feedback

Important information