Tweed River Estuary Coastal Management Program

Consultation has concluded

Council is preparing a new management plan for the Tweed River Estuary.

The Tweed River Estuary Coastal Management Program will provide recommendations for the future management of this important waterway, and will follow NSW government guidelines for coastal management.

The Tweed River Estuary is the tidal section of the river, a 35km stretch between the Bray Park Weir at Murwillumbah and the river mouth at Tweed Heads.

The Tweed River Estuary is many things to many people and community members will be invited to provide their feedback to help guide the plan’s priorities. The

Council is preparing a new management plan for the Tweed River Estuary.

The Tweed River Estuary Coastal Management Program will provide recommendations for the future management of this important waterway, and will follow NSW government guidelines for coastal management.

The Tweed River Estuary is the tidal section of the river, a 35km stretch between the Bray Park Weir at Murwillumbah and the river mouth at Tweed Heads.

The Tweed River Estuary is many things to many people and community members will be invited to provide their feedback to help guide the plan’s priorities. The scenic waterway and picturesque surrounds are used extensively for recreational activities and are extremely important to the local community.

Click here to share your comments and photos.

Click here to complete an online survey for the management plan before 7 November.

The Estuary retains a cultural connection for Aboriginal people and is a place for traditional cultural practices.

It is also highly valued as a commercial waterway and is integral to tourism and agricultural practices on the floodplain, contributing to the local economy.

It has a diversity of habitats for a wide variety of plants and animals and is home to a number of protected flora and fauna species, including estuarine vegetation (mangrove, saltmarsh and seagrass), shorebirds, raptors and fish species.

Maintaining the environmental health of the river is essential to sustain all its beneficial uses by the community.

It can be difficult to balance recreational, commercial and environmental priorities in a busy and popular waterway like the Tweed River, particularly in the face of population growth and rising sea levels. The key requirement of the management plan is to determine actions that can be implemented by Council, government agency stakeholders and the community to achieve the right balance between the many different uses and to protect nature, scenic and recreational values, livelihoods and cultural practices.

Keep an eye on this webpage for project updates. However, for further information, click here to find out how to contact a team member.

Tell your story

Tell us about the important issues for managing the Tweed River Estuary. Share your management ideas and observations about the Tweed River as a whole, or about particular locations in the river and its catchment.

Provide comments and upload photos about:

  • important locations or issues
  • what the Tweed River Estuary means to you
  • how you enjoy the Tweed River

You will also be able to participate in an online community survey in October.


Thank you for taking the time to share your ideas and priorities for the Tweed River Estuary.

Your input will help identify management issues and assist us to tailor management solutions and actions in the plan.

CLOSED: This discussion has concluded.

  • Storm clouds?

    by Diana Guillemin, over 9 years ago

  • Facing Coolangatta. No matter which way you look, the Tweed River looks amazing. Let's keep it this way.

    by Diana Guillemin, over 9 years ago

  • Winter sunset on the Tweed, Fingal Head

    by Diana Guillemin, over 9 years ago

  • The bike/walking path along Fingal Head provides opportunities for a great life style. I feel very luck to be able to enjoy it.

    by Diana Guillemin, over 9 years ago

  • Clouds at sunset on the Tweed, Fingal Head

    by Diana Guillemin, over 9 years ago

  • Tweed River Trash

    by Diana Guillemin, over 9 years ago

    One morning's walk along the banks of the Tweed River along Fingal Road, Fingal Head, delivered the rubbish pictured here.

    What is it that boaties, fishermen, picnickers, tourists, don't know about pollution.

    It is such a beautiful river, and I felt really sad.

    One morning's walk along the banks of the Tweed River along Fingal Road, Fingal Head, delivered the rubbish pictured here.

    What is it that boaties, fishermen, picnickers, tourists, don't know about pollution.

    It is such a beautiful river, and I felt really sad.

  • Photos from Tom and Virginia Rees

    over 9 years ago

    Here are the photos submitted by Tom and Virginia Rees and referred to in their story 'Jack Evans Boat Harbour'

    Here are the photos submitted by Tom and Virginia Rees and referred to in their story 'Jack Evans Boat Harbour'

  • Stotts Island

    by Nola Firth, over 9 years ago

    I love Stotts island. Every time I travel by it from my place in Murwillumbah to Tweed Heads I feel its wild and ancient magic - the only patch of ancient rainforest left on the Tweed plain.

    Nola Firth

    I love Stotts island. Every time I travel by it from my place in Murwillumbah to Tweed Heads I feel its wild and ancient magic - the only patch of ancient rainforest left on the Tweed plain.

    Nola Firth

  • Key points for Management Plan

    by Dr Lilliana Corredor, over 9 years ago

    Hi

    I have no idea as to where is the Tweed River & Estuary Management Plan at. You probably already addressed some or all of my issues of concern. Still, it's worth stating what in my opinion are Key issues:

    * Have the Point sources of pollution been identified clearly by Council & EPA along the length of the river?

    * Has Water Quality been consistently monitored since the fish kill in April -along the whole length of the river?

    * Has Water been tested for: pesticides, heavy metals, toxic chemicals from industry, E. coli and other bacteria and viruses?

    ... Continue reading

    Hi

    I have no idea as to where is the Tweed River & Estuary Management Plan at. You probably already addressed some or all of my issues of concern. Still, it's worth stating what in my opinion are Key issues:

    * Have the Point sources of pollution been identified clearly by Council & EPA along the length of the river?

    * Has Water Quality been consistently monitored since the fish kill in April -along the whole length of the river?

    * Has Water been tested for: pesticides, heavy metals, toxic chemicals from industry, E. coli and other bacteria and viruses?

    * Sewage leaks from broken pipes been tested (coloured gas)?

    * Sewage leaks from septic systems identified?

    * Leachate from landfill monitored?

    * Stormwater runoff from high density areas has been monitored?

    * Pesticides and fertilizers Run-off from sugar cane farms have been monitored regularly? This would be an obvious fish kill culprit.

    * Have bivalves been tested for heavy metals?

    * Is there a Catchment Management Committee in the Shire?

    * Creating a multi-disciplinary think tank of experts working together is the ideal, i.e. Community, Council & Government Agencies.

    I'd appreciate if you can please reply to my questions. This will determine whether I get involved.

    I wish to offer my expertise in Water, Catchment Management and Marine Biology on a consulting basis.

    Dr Lilliana Corredor

    Cabarita Beach

  • A beautiful spring day at the Tweed River mouth

    by KP, over 9 years ago