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Estuaries in NSW

Pittwater
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Narrabeen Lake Hawkesbury River
[Image of Estuary] Pittwater
Shape, Size and Scale of Estuary

Estuary Type

Drowned valley

Estuary Characteristics

Area Catchment 77 km2
Waterway Area 17.3 km2
Entrance Characteristics Open
Location (Lat-Long) 33.580S ,  151.317E
Distance (from Sydney) 40 km North
Summary of Available Data Data Pages

Physical Features

Pittwater forms a sheltered waterway 5.5 km long and 600 to 1,000 m wide entering Broken Bay from the south. Besides a shallow inshore area close to Barrenjoey Beach at the entrance to Pittwater, the waters are generally deep with no major boating hazards. Dense urban development comprises all of the eastern and southern shore. Scotland Island is located close to the southern end of the waterway.

Significant Estuarine Tributaries

Pittwater
Careel Bay
Mccarrs Creek

Population and Holiday Centres

Palm Beach

Special Attributes

General

  • Safe harbourage and recreational boating waters for greatest concentration of boat owners and users in NSW.
  • Approximately 60% of the 12 km western shoreline is located within Ku-Ring-Gai Chase National Park.
  • Fish, prawn and other crustacean producer.

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 0.125 av,ae
Seagrass 1.918 z,p,h
Saltmarsh 0.022

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, boating, tourism

Management Issues

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

Pittwater

Current Situation

Until December 2003 Pittwater Council received estuary management advice from the Pittwater Coastal, Estuary & Floodplain Management Committee. This committee was charged with the responsibility of preparing a management plan for the Pittwater estuary.

On 8 December 2003 Council resolved to establish four new Portfolio Committees that address strategic regional issues in the Northern Beaches area. The 'Land, Water & Coastal Portfolio Committee' will be responsible for future estuary management initiatives in the Pittwater area.

Management issues

  • Water quality
  • Erosion and sedimentation
  • Ecology
  • Heritage
  • Future Development
  • Waterway Usage
  • Foreshore Access
  • Climate Change

The Estuary Management Process 2

Process Status Date
Form Estuary Management Committee (EMC) completed
Assemble Existing Data completed
Carryout Process Study completed 2003
Carryout Estuary Management Study completed 2004
Draft Estuary Management Plan commenced
Review Estuary Management Plan none
Implement Estuary Management Plan none
Monitor and Review Estuary Management Process none

Contact Details

Pittwater Council Paul Hardy
Ph 9970 7222 Fax 9970 7150

References

Local Government Areas

Pittwater

NSW 1:25000 Map Name(s)

Broken Bay
Mona Vale