Tweed River Estuary Coastal Management Program

Consultation has concluded

Council is preparing a new management plan for the Tweed River Estuary.

The Tweed River Estuary Coastal Management Program will provide recommendations for the future management of this important waterway, and will follow NSW government guidelines for coastal management.

The Tweed River Estuary is the tidal section of the river, a 35km stretch between the Bray Park Weir at Murwillumbah and the river mouth at Tweed Heads.

The Tweed River Estuary is many things to many people and community members will be invited to provide their feedback to help guide the plan’s priorities. The

Council is preparing a new management plan for the Tweed River Estuary.

The Tweed River Estuary Coastal Management Program will provide recommendations for the future management of this important waterway, and will follow NSW government guidelines for coastal management.

The Tweed River Estuary is the tidal section of the river, a 35km stretch between the Bray Park Weir at Murwillumbah and the river mouth at Tweed Heads.

The Tweed River Estuary is many things to many people and community members will be invited to provide their feedback to help guide the plan’s priorities. The scenic waterway and picturesque surrounds are used extensively for recreational activities and are extremely important to the local community.

Click here to share your comments and photos.

Click here to complete an online survey for the management plan before 7 November.

The Estuary retains a cultural connection for Aboriginal people and is a place for traditional cultural practices.

It is also highly valued as a commercial waterway and is integral to tourism and agricultural practices on the floodplain, contributing to the local economy.

It has a diversity of habitats for a wide variety of plants and animals and is home to a number of protected flora and fauna species, including estuarine vegetation (mangrove, saltmarsh and seagrass), shorebirds, raptors and fish species.

Maintaining the environmental health of the river is essential to sustain all its beneficial uses by the community.

It can be difficult to balance recreational, commercial and environmental priorities in a busy and popular waterway like the Tweed River, particularly in the face of population growth and rising sea levels. The key requirement of the management plan is to determine actions that can be implemented by Council, government agency stakeholders and the community to achieve the right balance between the many different uses and to protect nature, scenic and recreational values, livelihoods and cultural practices.

Keep an eye on this webpage for project updates. However, for further information, click here to find out how to contact a team member.

Tell your story

Tell us about the important issues for managing the Tweed River Estuary. Share your management ideas and observations about the Tweed River as a whole, or about particular locations in the river and its catchment.

Provide comments and upload photos about:

  • important locations or issues
  • what the Tweed River Estuary means to you
  • how you enjoy the Tweed River

You will also be able to participate in an online community survey in October.


Thank you for taking the time to share your ideas and priorities for the Tweed River Estuary.

Your input will help identify management issues and assist us to tailor management solutions and actions in the plan.

CLOSED: This discussion has concluded.

  • Tweed River - Partial Wilderness or Rubbish dump

    by PaddleHard, over 9 years ago

    I am now on my 8th trip to collect rubbish on the Cobaki foreshore with no end in site.

    Quite appalling when you first see how much has accumulated there.

    Such a pretty area but so degraded by careless people.

    I am now on my 8th trip to collect rubbish on the Cobaki foreshore with no end in site.

    Quite appalling when you first see how much has accumulated there.

    Such a pretty area but so degraded by careless people.

  • Jack Evans Boat Harbour

    by tomrees, over 9 years ago

    During a twenty (20) year period after Seascape Apartments replaced their original rock wall due to erosion, beaches were nourished with sand from the harbour. This was regularly commissioned and paid for by Seascape owners.At the end of these 20 years and approximately 6 dredging episodes there was plentiful healthy seagrass , grass parkland gently sloping to sandy beaches , frequent dolphin visits indicating good fish stock and a regular turtle presence. 20 years of delight. Photograph attachedBeach nourishment was stopped on an order from State authorities in 2007.Since that time there has been massive park erosion, loss of at... Continue reading

    During a twenty (20) year period after Seascape Apartments replaced their original rock wall due to erosion, beaches were nourished with sand from the harbour. This was regularly commissioned and paid for by Seascape owners.At the end of these 20 years and approximately 6 dredging episodes there was plentiful healthy seagrass , grass parkland gently sloping to sandy beaches , frequent dolphin visits indicating good fish stock and a regular turtle presence. 20 years of delight. Photograph attachedBeach nourishment was stopped on an order from State authorities in 2007.Since that time there has been massive park erosion, loss of at least four large trees, two more are currently endangered and dangerous, the rock wall at Seascape collapsed and was replaced at major cost,Seagrass beds disappeared, dolphin and turtle visits became rare and the harbour became shallower. 9 years of disaster. Photograph attachedThe reason(s) for this disaster do not include dredging and beach nourishment as these were successful for 20 years.I would suggest that you look elsewhere for the reasons for the disaster. The failing harbour groyne allows severe weather to wash into the harbour bringing sand and silt . The sand works at the river entrance may be contributing to the sand ingress and the decrease in depth.Placing more sand on the beaches will quickly mean more sand in the harbour, already much shallower than when dredging was stopped.Jack Evans Boat Harbour was artificially produced when a reach of the Tweed River was filled . Artificial areas, like canal estates, must be maintained.Dredging and beach nourishment works. Everything else has failed.

    Tom and Virginia Rees

  • Terranora Neglect

    by strinker, over 9 years ago

    Tourist boat activities being conducted daily in the Terranora system are environmentally damaging and are not permitted elsewhere in Australia. Clients, numbering up to 100 are permitted to disembark onto extremely sensitive mud and sand flats, salt marsh and sea grass beds to experience "getting mud between your toes" - as advertised through the internet. NSW Fisheries unbelievably permits each tourist boat to carry between 30-40 yabbie pumps so that the tourists can experience the thrill of pumping yabbies - again not permitted anywhere else in Australia. Although the physical pumping of the yabbies on such a scale is damaging... Continue reading

    Tourist boat activities being conducted daily in the Terranora system are environmentally damaging and are not permitted elsewhere in Australia. Clients, numbering up to 100 are permitted to disembark onto extremely sensitive mud and sand flats, salt marsh and sea grass beds to experience "getting mud between your toes" - as advertised through the internet. NSW Fisheries unbelievably permits each tourist boat to carry between 30-40 yabbie pumps so that the tourists can experience the thrill of pumping yabbies - again not permitted anywhere else in Australia. Although the physical pumping of the yabbies on such a scale is damaging to the habitat it is the "trampling" of feet that is the cause of most damage.

    To permit this activity is totally irresponsible and reflects a disrespect of the environment. Currently DPI have engaged a scientist to evaluate the impact of this activity. Senator Jan Barham has tabled this activity twice on the floor of Parliament. Ass Professor Daryl McPhee from the Environmental Faculty of Bond University has visited the area of concern and has been scathing of the continuation of the activity. Currently EDO have become involved and are providing assistance to the concerned residents and fishing clubs who have voiced their disgust.

    Unfortunately money and politics are involved which can over ride environmental responsibilities. Hopefully this will not be the case on the Tweed.

    My name is John Clarke 42 Jacaranda Av West Tweed. I have in the past been an advisor to State Ministers on Marine Parks, Recreational Fishing and National Parks and Wild Life. The neglect of the Terranora habitat and ultimately the Tweed River is blatantly irresponsible and must be addressed. Photos are available on request. Thankyou for the opportunity to voice my opinion

  • Reduce speed limit along Keith Crompton DR

    by Aglasson, over 9 years ago

    As a daily user of the Tweed / Terranora water ways I plead wth you to reduce the speed limit along this area before some one is killed.

    I have witnessed several close calls with tinnies and jetski's flyng through this area coming very close to swimmers along the foreshore.

    The 6 knot speed limit needs to be increased from Kennedy Dr Boat ramo right through to the entrance to the Tweed river.

    Water users know that the waterways are not patrolled after 4pm and in summer this is exploited with people towing in this area ducking in and out... Continue reading

    As a daily user of the Tweed / Terranora water ways I plead wth you to reduce the speed limit along this area before some one is killed.

    I have witnessed several close calls with tinnies and jetski's flyng through this area coming very close to swimmers along the foreshore.

    The 6 knot speed limit needs to be increased from Kennedy Dr Boat ramo right through to the entrance to the Tweed river.

    Water users know that the waterways are not patrolled after 4pm and in summer this is exploited with people towing in this area ducking in and out around the boats and coming back from a day fishing with no lights on.

    Please take action before someone is killed in our beautiful river.