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Estuaries in NSW

Hastings River
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Lake Innes and Lake Cathie Killick Creek
[Image of Estuary] Hastings River
Shape, Size and Scale of Estuary

Estuary Type

River

Estuary Characteristics

Area Catchment 3595 km2
Waterway Area 17.3 km2
Entrance Characteristics Open with twin training wall breakwaters
Location (Lat-Long) 31.426S ,  152.916E
Distance (from Sydney) 400 km North
Summary of Available Data Data Pages

Physical Features

The lower Hastings River is under tidal influence for some 32 km from the entrance to a point just upstream of Bains Bridge, about 8 km above Wauchope. Although no tidal gradient data is available, the tidal range is believed to be fairly constant up to Wauchope. A spring-tide gauging at Settlement Point (3 km from the ocean) measured peak flows of some 1,250 m3/s and tidal discharge of 20 (ebb) and 16 (flood) million cubic metres. The main arm of the river is approximately 120 km long. The large town of Port Macquarie is located south of the entrance.

Significant Estuarine Tributaries

Hastings River
Fernbank Creek
Carecorara Inlet
Twin Rivers
Balyngara Creek
Tommy Owens Creek
Rawdon Creek
Munns Channel
Rawdon Channel
Caswell Channel
Hughes Inlet
Pipers Creek
Wilson River
Kooloonbung Creek
Limeburners Creek
Saltwater Lake
Maria River
Fernbank Creek
Rawdon Creek
Pipers Creek
Limeburners Creek

Population and Holiday Centres

Port Macquarie
Wauchope

Special Attributes

General

  • Important tourist area with good amateur fishing.
  • Major canal sub-division (Port Shores) - Stage A is completed.
  • Large oyster producer (250 t/yr) - also some commercial fishing and prawning.
  • Port Macquarie has significant convict history.
  • Estuary closed to commercial fishing.
  • Extensive enclosed waters for boating.
  • Trained river entrance providing ocean access in all but extreme storm weather conditions.

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 3.437 av,ae,ex
Seagrass 1.458 z
Saltmarsh 1.867

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

oyster, port, boating, tourism, extraction, sewage

Management Issues

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

Hastings River

Current Situation

Hastings Shire Council's Hastings River Estuary Management Committee has prepared the Hastings River Estuary Management Plan. Implementation of the management plan has commenced.

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 completed 2000
Review Estuary Management Plan completed Adopted 2001
Implement Estuary Management Plan commenced
Monitor and Review Estuary Management Process none

Contact Details

Hastings Council Cliff Toms
Ph (02) 6581 8111

References

Local Government Areas

Hastings

NSW 1:25000 Map Name(s)

Telegraph Point
Port Macquarie
Kundabung
Ballengarra
Wauchope