Our incredible coastline faces growing challenges due to the impacts of climate change and population.

It’s important we effectively plan and adapt, actively managing our coastal areas now and into the future.

We do this through the development of Coastal Management Programs (CMPs).

A CMP is a plan of action for Council, public authorities, and land managers responsible for management of the coastal zone to: 

• address coastal hazard risks; 
• preserve habitats and cultural uses and values; 
• encourage sustainable economic, and built development in the coastal zone; 
• maintain or improve recreational amenity and resilience; and 
• adapt to emerging issues such as population growth and climate change

CMPs identify coastal management issues and the actions required to address them, timeframes, costs and funding mechanisms.

Throughout the development of the program, consideration of the social, environmental, cultural, and economic interests of the community are incorporated to create a long-term strategic plan that will ensure that the Northern Beaches is well placed to handle current and future coastal challenges.

CMPs are developed by local Councils in line with the NSW Coastal Management Act (2016) and are a State Government initiative. When complete, CMPs will replace existing Estuary & Coastal Zone Management Plans which were prepared under previous legislation.

Northern Beaches CMPs

Council is currently involved in the development of 4 CMPs. We are leading 2 - the Open Coast and Lagoons CMP, which will cover most of our coastline and lagoons, and the Collaroy-Narrabeen Beach CMP.