Wollongong City Council will hold community meetings at Thirroul and Bellambi during the six week exhibition of the draft Coastal Zone Management Plan.

Council will place the draft plan on exhibition from February 20 until March 30. During this time the community can make a submission on the draft plan through Council’s internet site or in writing.

Wollongong Lord Mayor Gordon Bradbery said it is important that all people who live in a seaside suburb or who use the beaches and coast view the draft plan on Council’s internet site.

“This is the second stage of Council’s work on the draft coastal plan,” Mayor Bradbery said.

“We have engaged consultants who have prepared a comprehensive draft plan which includes maps, risk levels and management options for all areas of the city’s coastline.

“These are all on our internet site and the draft plan will also be available through our libraries.”

The Draft Coastal Zone Management Plan consists of two parts – the Management Study, which documents the risk levels and management options and the Implementation Action Plan, which documents the preferred actions for managing the risk from sea level rise during the next 100 years.

This second stage included a risk assessment exercise to prioritise risks for the management of coastal zones, canvassing potential management options with the community and developing recommended management actions to address high risk issues.

Submissions on the draft Coastal Zone Management Plan will be accepted any time up to 30 March 2012.  The community meetings will be held on March 10 in the Escarpment Room, Thirroul Community Centre from 10am to midday and Bellambi Neighbourhood Centre from 3pm to 5pm.

Click here to view the plan.