NSW Crest
Home > Coastal and floodplains > Estuaries > Major Estuaries

Estuaries in NSW

Mooball Creek
Next South Next North
Brunswick River Cudgera Creek
[Image of Estuary] Mooball Creek
Shape, Size and Scale of Estuary

Estuary Type

Creek

Estuary Characteristics

Area Catchment 125 km2
Waterway Area 0.4 km2
Entrance Characteristics Open with twin training breakwaters
Location (Lat-Long) 28.388S ,  153.570E
Distance (from Sydney) 820 km North
Summary of Available Data Data Pages

Physical Features

A high littoral transport rate of approximately 450,000 m3/yr passes the entrance from south to north. The town of Pottsville is located at the entrance. The approximate length of the creek is 7.5 km.

Significant Estuarine Tributaries

Mooball Creek

Population and Holiday Centres

Pottsville

Special Attributes

General

  • Aquatic bird habitat.
  • Popular camping area.
  • Water based recreational activities.
  • Large areas of the southern catchment of Mooball Creek are under sugar cane and grazing. Drainage channels associated with these agricultural activities are connected to Mooball Creek and rely on the creek to effectively convey drainage waters.
  • Residential development is expanding adjacent to Mooball Creek as part of Pottsville Waters and Black Rocks estates.

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 0.114 av,ae
Seagrass 0.024 z
Saltmarsh 0.008

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.

Mooball Creek

Specific Issues

  • Riverbank erosion especially from uncontrolled foreshore access.
  • Acid flows from acid sulfate soils disturbance.
  • Urban development expansion and the impact of stormwater and increased recreational use of the creek.

Current Situation

Cudgen, Cudgera and Mooball Creek are being addressed by Tweed Shire Council under one management plan. Refer to the Cudgen Lake and Creek [cudgen.html] for details.

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
Draft Estuary Management Plan completed
Review Estuary Management Plan completed 1997
Implement Estuary Management Plan commenced 1998/99
Monitor and Review Estuary Management Process commenced 2004

Contact Details

Tweed Shire Council Ms Jane Lofthouse
ph: (02) 6670 2 577 fax (02) 6672 0429

References

Local Government Areas

Tweed

NSW 1:25000 Map Name(s)

Pottsville