About the project

In 2006 the CEN was successful in obtaining funding through the NSW Environmental Trust for a project "Community Rehabilitation of Gosford Coastal Lagoons". The project seeks to adopt a strategic and "whole system" approach to the rehabilitation of riparian areas of the four coastal lagoons in Gosford LGA.

The project is working with the community and stakeholders including Gosford Council and the Hunter Central Rivers Catchment Management Authority (HCRCMA) to develop and implement priority actions over two years.

The project coordinator carries out the following activities:

• walk the foreshores of the lagoons and working with landowners / stakeholders to identify rehabilitation activities and priorities 
• identify priority zones for actions
• coordinate rehabilitation activities
• recruit volunteers to participate in the project
• carry out education / awareness raising activities and
• monitoring of change during the project including pre / post environmental monitoring and community surveys.

Background to the project

The site(s) of the project will be the foreshore areas of the 4 coastal lagoons in Gosford; these being Wamberal Lagoon, Terrigal Lagoon , Avoca Lagoon and Cockrone Lagoon .

These lagoons have all been identified as modified (to varying degrees) in the Independent Inquiry into Coastal Lakes (Healthy Rivers Commission, 2002).

Gosford Council monitoring of water quality also shows the the lagoons often fail to meet target scores. This is confirmed by community Waterwatch monitoring.

The Gosford Council Coastal Lagoons Management Plan (1995) identifies issues including loss of vegetation, water quality, acid sulphate soils, recreational usage and habitat values. The artificial opening of the lagoons also has an impact on the ecological health of the lagoons. The lagoons are located in popular coastal suburbs that are under pressure of increased urbanisation. "Doing nothing" will result in further degradation of the riparian areas, water quality and ecological functioning of the lagoons. The management of the lagoons requires a strategic approach based on priority areas, involvement of the local community and landholders and increased community awareness, education, monitoring and valuing of the lagoons.

Find out more about the project:   

• Cockrone Lagoon
• Avoca Lagoon
• Terrigal Lagoon