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Estuaries in NSW

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

Estuary Type

Creek

Estuary Characteristics

Area Catchment 32 km2
Waterway Area 0.11 km2
Entrance Characteristics Intermittently/mechanically opened and untrained
Location (Lat-Long) 30.884S ,  153.038E
Distance (from Sydney) 450 km North
Summary of Available Data Data Pages

Physical Features

The creek is only about 2 km long. The entrance is located at Point Briner immediately north of the town of South West Rocks. The creek is also known as "Back Creek".

Significant Estuarine Tributaries

South West Rocks Creek

Population and Holiday Centres

South West Rocks

Special Attributes

General

  • Hosts a small fishing port.
  • Extensive mangrove and saltmarsh communities.
  • Family holiday destination.
  • Used as ocean access for small pleasure craft.

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 0.693 av,ae
Seagrass 0.002 z
Saltmarsh 0.147

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, port, extraction

Management Issues

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

South West Rocks Creek

Current Situation

Kempsey Shire Council has formed an Estuary Management Committee to allow community input into the management of all its estuaries. Council is currently preparing the data compilation and mapping stage of an estuary management plan for the Macleay River. South West Rocks Creek has been included in the scope of works for the Macleay River.

The Estuary Management Process 2

Process Status Date
Form Estuary Management Committee (EMC) commenced
Assemble Existing Data commenced 2004
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)

South West Rocks