1.1 About this program

“WE NEED THE RIVER AND THE RIVER NEEDS US.” Councillor Len Roberts, Chair Manning River ECMP Reference Group 1.1 ABOUT THIS PROGRAM

MidCoast Council has worked together with stakeholders to develop the Manning River Estuary and Catchment Management Program (Manning River ECMP). It sets out a ten-year action program for Council, our community and partner organisations to improve the health of the Manning River. It has a strong focus on the estuary and takes a whole-of-catchment approach, recognising that the freshwater and saltwater systems are connected and what happens at the top of the catchment affects the marine receiving waters. While the ECMP includes actions across the whole catchment, it remains a Coastal Management Program for the purposes of gazettal under the CM Act and has been developed in accordance with the mandatory requirements of the Coastal Management Manual (Part A).

Following adoption by Council, the Manning River

ECMP will be submitted for certification under the NSW Coastal Management Act. Certification will enable Council to seek co-investment from the NSW Government.

The link between the Manning River ECMP and the Coastal Management Act is explained below.