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

Estuaries in NSW

Port Hacking
Next South Next North
Lake Illawarra Botany Bay
[Image of Estuary] Port Hacking
Shape, Size and Scale of Estuary

Estuary Type

Drowned valley

Estuary Characteristics

Area Catchment 180 km2
Waterway Area 11 km2
Entrance Characteristics Open
Location (Lat-Long) 34.072S ,  151.163E
Distance (from Sydney) 35 km South
Summary of Available Data Data Pages

Physical Features

A large and branching estuary located about 24 km south of Sydney, Port Hacking is fed by the Hacking River and several small creeks. The estuary is characterised by two distinct and mobile sand bodies: a fixed quantity of marine sand located near the entrance, and a riverine delta at the upstream end. Water depth is approximately 12 m at the entrance. Further upstream, depths within the marine delta are quite variable with substantial areas exposed at low tide. The mean spring tidal range at the entrance to Port Hacking is approximately 1.32 m. Despite the extensive shoals within the lower estuary, the penetration of the tidal wave into the waterway is only marginally affected by shallow water effects - at Gymea Bay, some 7.7 km upstream of the entrance (and upstream of the limit of marine sand), the observed attenuation in spring tidal range is only 6%. The channel between Deeban Spit and Burraneer Point (approximately 2.5 km upstream of the entrance) exhibits the highest tidal currents in Port Hacking - a depth averaged velocity of 1 m/s has been recorded.

Significant Estuarine Tributaries

Port Hacking
Hacking River
The Basin
Bundeena Creek

Population and Holiday Centres

Cronulla
Bundeena

Special Attributes

General

  • Extremely good water quality - very little industrial and no agricultural inputs.
  • Easily reached by public and private transport, especially from Sydney's southern and south-western suburbs - recreational activities include boating, fishing and picnicking.
  • Wooded, sloping foreshores form the northern boundary of the Royal National Park.
  • Extensive inter-tidal shoals provide opportunity for wading birds and specialist, amateur fishing.
  • Visual amenity.
  • Commercial fishing ban in place.

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 0.307 av,ae
Seagrass 0.807 z,p,h
Saltmarsh 0.082

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

boating, tourism

Management Issues

This estuary falls in the area covered by Sydney Metro Catchment Management Authority.

There are 3 committee(s) active on this estuary

Port Hacking

Current Situation

Sutherland Council formed the Port Hacking Management Panel to implement the Port Hacking Plan of Management (1992). An updated Estuary Management Plan is currently being prepared and will replace the outdated 1992 plan. Sutherland Council set up the Yowie May EMC and Gymea and Gunnamatta Bay EMCs as working parties of the Port Hacking Management Panel.

Management Issues:

  • prolific waterfront development.
  • large outbreak of the invasive seaweed Caulerpa taxifolia.
  • boating congestion.
  • sand filling in navigation channels requiring regular maintenance dredging.

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
Implement Estuary Management Plan commenced
Monitor and Review Estuary Management Process commenced

Contact Details

Sutherland Shire Council Gwyn Cleeves
Ph (02) 9710 0333 Fax 9710 0265

Yowie Bay

Current Situation

Sutherland Council has formed an estuary management committee which has prepared an estuary management plan for Yowie Bay. Council is currently implementing the plan.

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 1999
Implement Estuary Management Plan commenced
Monitor and Review Estuary Management Process none

Contact Details

Sutherland Shire Council Gwyn Cleeves
Ph (02) 9710 0333 Fax 9710 0265

Gymea Bay and Gunnamatta Bay

Current Situation

Sutherland Council formed an estuary management committee to prepare a management plan for Gymea and Gunnamatta Bays. It is likely that the implementation of the Estuary Management Plans for both Gymea and Gunnamatta Bays will rest with the Port Hacking Management Panel.

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 commenced
Implement Estuary Management Plan none
Monitor and Review Estuary Management Process none

Contact Details

Sutherland Shire Council Gwyn Cleeves
Ph (02) 9710 0333 Fax 9710 0265

References

Local Government Areas

Sutherland

NSW 1:25000 Map Name(s)

Port Hacking