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Estuaries in NSW

Saltwater Lagoon
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Korogoro Creek South West Rocks Creek
[Image of Estuary] Saltwater Lagoon
Shape, Size and Scale of Estuary

Estuary Type

Creek and lake

Estuary Characteristics

Area Catchment 8.9 km2
Waterway Area 0.1 km2
Entrance Characteristics Intermittently open
Location (Lat-Long) 30.890S ,  153.043E
Distance (from Sydney) 445 km North
Summary of Available Data Data Pages

Physical Features

The towns of South West Rocks, Hat Head and Crescent Head are located at the entrances of Saltwater, Korogoro and Killick Creeks respectively. These rivers drain low-lying topography.

Significant Estuarine Tributaries

Saltwater Lagoon

Population and Holiday Centres

South West Rocks
Arakoon

Special Attributes

General

  • Generally popular caravan and camping areas.
  • Saltwater Creek is located within a small coastal reserve with much of the catchment saltwater wetlands.
  • Korogoro Creek - with the entrance always open and navigable, and the continental shelf-break only 20 km offshore, the waterway is popular for launching of game fishing boats.

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 0.000
Seagrass 0.000
Saltmarsh 0.000

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.

Saltwater Lagoon

Current Situation

Kempsey Shire Council has formed an Estuary Management Committee to allow community input into the management of all its estuaries. Council has commenced work on management plans for Saltwater and Killick Creeks.

The Estuary Management Process 2

Process Status Date
Form Estuary Management Committee (EMC) completed
Assemble Existing Data completed 2000
Carryout Process Study completed 2000
Carryout Estuary Management Study completed 2000
Draft Estuary Management Plan completed 2001
Review Estuary Management Plan commenced 2004
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)

South West Rocks