Port Stephens Council is currently working on a coastal management program (CMP), which identifies risks to the coast and sets a long-term strategy for managing these into the future.

Strategy and Environment Section Manager Janelle Gardner says Council will be holding a series of webinars for locals to learn more about the coast.

“Our coast is one of our greatest assets. It’s why our community love to live here and it’s why people flock to Port Stephens,” Ms Gardner said.

“The coast is constantly changing and that’s why we’re developing a coastal management program to make sure we look after it for future generations.

“We’re now up to stage 2, which involves looking at the main hazards to the coastline in Port Stephens. We’ve found out these are coastal erosion, coastal inundation and windblown sand.

“We’re hosting a series of webinars with technical experts in November to help our community understand these hazards better and give an opportunity to ask questions.

“Anyone in Port Stephens who lives near the coast or who loves using the coast — whether it’s the Port, the beach or the river — is invited to come along and learn more about how we can protect it now and into the future,” she said.

All webinars will be recorded and made available online for viewing.

Webinar dates:

• Dune transgression— Monday 16 November 2020 5 to 6pm
• Coastal inundation — Monday 23 November 2020 5 to 6pm
• Coastal erosion— Wednesday 25 November 2020 12 midday to 1pm.

To register for the webinars and have your say, head to haveyoursay.portstephens.nsw.gov.au/coastal-management-program