The first session will highlight Council’s partnership with the NSW Office of Environment and Heritage (Estuary Management).

The project aims to identify threatened migratory and resident shorebirds that frequent the Kempsey coastline, estuaries and wetlands.

Council’s Senior Natural Resources Officer, Ron Kemsley, said two sets of field surveys were completed at 25 sites from Grassy Head in the north to Point Plomer in the south where all shorebirds were counted and potential threats recorded. 

“The session is a good opportunity for residents to learn about these special birds and what they can do to help to better conserve their habitat,” he said. 

The session is open to all community members and will be held on Thursday, March 16 from 6pm to 8pm at the South West Rocks Surf Lifesaving Club.

A separate workshop will be held at the club on Tuesday, March 21 at 6pm to discuss plans to stabilise and improve the foreshore area in front of the South West Rocks Surf Life Saving Club.

In accordance with the Kempsey Coastal Zone Management Plan (2016), Council, in partnership with the Office of Environment and Heritage and the Surf Club, has engaged the University of NSW (UNSW) Water Resources Laboratory to prepare concept design options and plans to address foreshore bank stabilisation.

Mr Kemsley said representatives from UNSW will be at the session to provide an overview of possible foreshore improvement options and discuss logistical issues, constraints and benefits for each of the presented options.

“All interested community members are invited to attend and participate in evaluating options and determining preferred foreshore improvement outcomes,” he said. 

To RSVP to either session or for more information contact council’s customer service centre on 6566 3200.