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Estuaries in NSW

Boambee Creek
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Bonville Creek and Pine Creek Coffs Creek
[Image of Estuary] Boambee Creek
Shape, Size and Scale of Estuary

Estuary Type

Small river

Estuary Characteristics

Area Catchment 45 km2
Waterway Area 0.57 km2
Entrance Characteristics Open and untrained
Location (Lat-Long) 30.355S ,  153.107E
Distance (from Sydney) 550 km North
Summary of Available Data Data Pages

Physical Features

The approximate length of the creek is 10 km. The catchment is largely cleared for banana plantations and dairy farming. The coastal towns of Coffs Harbour and Sawtell are located immediately north and south respectively of the catchment boundaries.

Significant Estuarine Tributaries

Boambee Creek And Lagoon
Cordwells Creek

Population and Holiday Centres

Coffs Harbour
Sawtell

Special Attributes

General

  • Scenic close to the entrance.
  • The swamp areas downstream of the Pacific Highway bridge provides a feeding area and habitat for aquatic birds.
  • Popular picnic area at Boambee Reserve, adjacent to the mouth of the creek.
  • Safe sheltered swimming and recreational area.

Estuarine Vegetation

The spatial data is reproduced from NSW Fisheries(2006/7) studies, whilst the species makeup is from the West et al.(1985). This map shows the spatial extent of the Estuarine Vegetation.

Type Area Species 1
(km2)
Mangroves 0.331 unknown
Seagrass 0.060 z
Saltmarsh 0.029

References

R.J. Williams, G. West, D. Morrison and R.G. Creese, (2006),
"Estuarine Resources of New South Wales",
prepared for the Comprehensive Coastal Assessment (DoP) by the NSW Department of Primary Industries, Port Stephens.

R.J. West, C.A. Thorogood, T.R. Walford and R.J. Williams. (1985).
"An Estuarine Inventory for New South Wales, Australia".
Fisheries Bulletin 2. Department of Agriculture, New South Wales.

Estuary Commerce

fishing

Management Issues

This estuary falls in the area covered by Northern Rivers Catchment Management Authority.

Boambee Creek

Current Situation

Coffs Harbour City Council has formed a Coastal/Estuary Management Committee to allow community input into the management of all its estuaries.

DIPNR staff have assisted the Boambee Creek Reserve Trust to stabilise and nourish the beach adjacent the main recreation area.

The Estuary Management Process 2

Process Status Date
Form Estuary Management Committee (EMC) completed
Assemble Existing Data none
Carryout Process Study none
Carryout Estuary Management Study none
Draft Estuary Management Plan none
Review Estuary Management Plan none
Implement Estuary Management Plan none
Monitor and Review Estuary Management Process none

Contact Details

Coffs Harbour City Council Martin Rose
Ph 6648 4421

References

Local Government Areas

Coffs Harbour

NSW 1:25000 Map Name(s)

Coffs Harbour