Burrill Lake Entrance Management Policy

Shoalhaven City Council is seeking to develop an Entrance Management Policy to review estuary opening procedures for Burrill Lake.

Local Environmental Consultants Peter Spurway & Associates are engaged to draft the policy in conjunction with the Far South Shoalhaven Natural Resource and Floodplain Management Committee. Final recommendations are expected to be made to Council by mid-2007.

The policy will:
Describe Shoalhaven City Council's procedures for artificial openings of Burrill Lake entrance
Outline the conditions required prior to an artificial opening
Determine methods to encourage natural entrance behaviour
Highlight state agencies and their requirements for potential artificial opening events
Consider local flooding potential from lake entrance closure
Review and extend Council's infrastructure survey
Set a revised opening level for the policy

In addition the policy will consider issues affecting the local community for example,
the low relief of the village near the Lake and its roads
flooding of low residences
traffic and road safety
public health issues such as inundation of the sewerage system and water quality
safety of public infrastructure such as boat ramps and jetties
inundation of backyards

The issues affecting the local community can be managed by setting an appropriate opening level or a range of levels that would drive actions, dependent on the season and ocean tide and swell conditions.

State Legislation requires that a review of environmental factors must also accompany the Entrance Management Policy.

The estuary at Burrill Lake plays an important ecological role which must not be compromised by inadequate planning. Therefore, thorough research of environmental issues will be included in the policy so that entrance management can balance and minimise the impact on both the natural and built environments.

A public meeting will be held to present the Draft Entrance Management Policy to the community.

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