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Estuaries in NSW

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

Estuary Type

Creek

Estuary Characteristics

Area Catchment 110 km2
Waterway Area 1.5 km2
Entrance Characteristics Open and untrained - shared entrance
Location (Lat-Long) 30.377S ,  153.101E
Distance (from Sydney) 540 km North
Summary of Available Data Data Pages

Physical Features

The approximate lengths of both these creeks is 15 km. The town of Sawtell is located immediately north of the entrance.

Significant Estuarine Tributaries

Bonville Creek
Pine Creek

Population and Holiday Centres

Sawtell

Special Attributes

General

  • Important recreational area for the residents of Sawtell and Coffs Harbour - small camping reserve and caravan park near the entrance.
  • Small crustacea producer.
  • Popular amateur fishing along the creek banks.
  • Aquatic vegetation - good reed beds, small productive stands of mangroves in the lower reaches, and teatree swamps at the upstream ends.
  • Pine Creek State Forest comprises a large proportion of the southern areas of the catchment.

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 0.137 av,ae
Seagrass 0.089 z
Saltmarsh 0.159

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.

Bonville Creek and Pine 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. Council has engaged a consultant to prepare an estuary management plan for Bonville Creek. The draft management plan is being finalised and will be displayed for public comment in late 2004.

Management Issues

  • Siltation of the entrance
  • Waves entering Middle Creek and forming to 1.0m in height as they travel upstream and creek narrows - causing bank erosion and general nuisance
  • Erosion of Dolmans Point which is in direct line of entrance
  • Informal boat launching facilities; bank erosion
  • Fine sediment entering system from unsuitable farming practices including clearing of riparian vegetation
  • High waterway usage - largest river system close to Coffs Harbour.

The Estuary Management Process 2

Process Status Date
Form Estuary Management Committee (EMC) completed
Assemble Existing Data completed
Carryout Process Study completed
Carryout Estuary Management Study completed 2000
Draft Estuary Management Plan commenced 2004
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)

Raleigh
Coffs Harbour