Councillors to decide on plan

THE Wooloweyah community is concerned about the condition of the local lagoon, with previous studies and management plans highlighting long-term water quality issues.

The latest condition assessment of the lagoon will be presented to Clarence Valley councillors today, with the recommendation that they adopt the latest coastal zone management plan.

Council deputy manager for environment and economics, Des Schroder, said the catchment supported a number of major industries for the Clarence Estuary, primarily sugarcane and commercial fishing.

“We are looking at what we can do in the long term for the lake, including improving the water quality aspects,” he said.

The draft management plan received 20 submissions during its public exhibition last August, with trawling, dredging and development controls among the main issues.

The plan has been amended to reflect the issues raised through the consultation process and a number of management strategies have been determined to address the future management of the Wooloweyah Lagoon catchment.

The strategies aim to protect and enhance the natural environment and protect existing land and waterway uses.

The management strategies were developed through consultation with stakeholder organisations and the Clarence Floodplain and Estuary Partnership.

We are looking at what we can do in the long term ...