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Estuaries in NSW

Macleay River
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South West Rocks Creek Nambucca River
[Image of Estuary] Macleay River
Shape, Size and Scale of Estuary

Estuary Type

River

Estuary Characteristics

Area Catchment 11385 km2
Waterway Area 18.2 km2
Entrance Characteristics Open and trained.
Location (Lat-Long) 30.874S ,  153.025E
Distance (from Sydney) 465 km North
Summary of Available Data Data Pages

Physical Features

The approximate length of the main arm of the river is 150 km. The town of South West Rocks is located at the entrance. The ocean mean spring tidal range at the entrance is 1.28 m. Tidal influence up the Macleay River terminates at Belgrave Falls, approximately 5 km upstream of Aldaville or 54 km from the entrance.

Significant Estuarine Tributaries

Macleay River
Macleay Arm
Yarrahappini Broadwater
Clybucca Creek
Macleay River
Belmore River
Collombatti Creek
Kinchela Creek
Belmore River

Population and Holiday Centres

Grassy Head
Stuarts Point
South West Rocks
Kinchela
Kempsey

Special Attributes

General

  • Navigable by shallow-draft boats beyond Kempsey, a town approximately 40 km upstream from the entrance.
  • Flood plain contains over 150 km2 of wetland - aquatic bird habitat.
  • 5.0 km2 of mangroves which is equivalent to 5% of the NSW estuarine total.
  • Intensive oyster producing estuary at 20 t/km2 per year. Also a commercial fishing.
  • Parts of Hat Head, New England and Apsley Gorge National Parks are located in 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 5.665 av,ae,ex
Seagrass 0.957 z
Saltmarsh 4.213

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, oyster, port, boating, tourism, sewage

Management Issues

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

Macleay River

Current Situation

Kempsey Shire Council has formed an Estuary Management Committee to allow community input into the management of all of its estuaries. A data compilation and mapping exercise is currently underway with the next stage process study programmed to commence early 2005.

The Estuary Management Process 2

Process Status Date
Form Estuary Management Committee (EMC) completed
Assemble Existing Data commenced
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

Kempsey Council Robert Pitt
Ph (02) 6566 3240

References

Local Government Areas

Kempsey

NSW 1:25000 Map Name(s)

Clybucca
Eungai
South West Rocks
Kempsey