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

Estuaries in NSW

Wooli Wooli River
Next South Next North
Station Creek Sandon River
[Image of Estuary] Wooli Wooli River
Shape, Size and Scale of Estuary

Estuary Type

River

Estuary Characteristics

Area Catchment 190 km2
Waterway Area 1.9 km2
Entrance Characteristics Open with twin training wall breakwaters
Location (Lat-Long) 29.888S ,  153.269E
Distance (from Sydney) 610 km North
Summary of Available Data Data Pages

Physical Features

The small town of Wooli is located to the north of the entrance. The approximate length of the river is 20 km. The mean spring ocean tidal range at the entrance is 1.35 m with tidal penetration extending approximately 15 km upstream. The river is navigable by larger fishing vessels (draft approximately 2 m) up to the Fishermen's Co-Operative located some 2 km from the entrance, and navigable much further upstream by smaller craft.

Significant Estuarine Tributaries

Bookram Creek
Wooli Wooli River

Population and Holiday Centres

Wooli

Special Attributes

General

  • Small but growing tourist resort.
  • Majority of catchment is national park/nature reserve.
  • Intensive spat catching and oyster producing estuary.

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 0.860 av,ae,ex,rh
Seagrass 0.094 z
Saltmarsh 0.669

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, tourism

Management Issues

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

Wooli Wooli River

Current Situation

The former Pristine Waters Council formed a combined Coastal/Estuary Management Committee for Wooli Wooli River. An amalgamation of this council into Clarence Valley Council has since suspended this committee. In 2003, just prior to amalgamation, Pristine Waters Council accepted a 50% grant from the NSW Estuary Management Program for the preparation of the Wooli Wooli River Estuary Management Plan. Consultants WBM Oceanics are currently preparing the Plan. In the absence of an estuary management committee Council staff with help of DIPNR staff are managing the project. Some of the main issues of concern in Wooli Wooli River are siltation along the estuaries and their entrances, bank erosion and the maintenance of high water quality. A draft plan is expected in late 2004.

The Estuary Management Process 2

Process Status Date
Form Estuary Management Committee (EMC) completed
Assemble Existing Data completed
Carryout Process Study commenced July 2004
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

Clarence Valley Greg Tory
Ph 6641 7218

References

Local Government Areas

Clarence Valley

NSW 1:25000 Map Name(s)

Bare Point
Pillar Valley
Red Rock