Tuggerah Lakes estuary

Tuggerah Lakes is a unique environment and rich in biodiversity.

Over the years the natural function and condition of the estuary has been influenced by many different human activities taking place around the foreshores and throughout the catchment.

Land clearing and landuse change, loss of important natural filters (streambank, wetland and saltmarsh vegetation), changed water flows, more pollutants, nutrients and sediment reaching the lakes and extensive foreshore modifications have all contributed to the changes we see in the lakes today – such as, fewer native seagrass beds, more frequent algal blooms, increased amounts of smelly “ooze” around the foreshores and an overall loss of habitat and amenity value for native plants, animals and the community.

In response to community concerns, Wyong Shire Council developed the Tuggerah Lakes Estuary Management Plan (EMP) following years of scientific study.

The EMP aims to protect and enhance water quality, maintain ecological processes, support socio-economic values of the estuary and ensure our knowledge and management programs remain current and adaptive.

Since its development, the EMP has been supported by a $20 million Australian Government Caring for our Country grant (2008-2013), a $3.25 million National Landcare Programme grant (2014-2017) a $3 million Improving your Local Parks and Environment grant (2017-2020) and more recently, a $4.7 million Environment Restoration Fund grant (2020-2023). In addition to Council investment, these grants have assisted in implementing actions from the EMP.

This map provides a summary of physical work completed as part of the implementation program.

For more information, visit www.loveourwaterways.centralcoast.nsw.gov.au or check out the Implementation Report.