Figure 9: The Integrated Planning and Reporting Framework

1.5 How will the ECMP be implemented?

1.5.1 Council delivery mechanisms

The Manning River and Estuary CMP is a multi-stakeholder program with actions led by MidCoast Council and other NSW government agencies. Council’s actions have two delivery mechanisms, as described in section 1.1.4:

• MidCoast Council’s Integrated Planning and Reporting Framework (IP&R

Framework)

• Land-use Planning framework

The IP&R Framework was introduced to New South Wales Councils in 2012. It links Council operations with community aspirations by starting with a 10-year Community Strategic Plan that is implemented via the 4-year Delivery Program and 1-year Operational Plans. The framework can be seen in Figure 9.

Most of the CMP actions led by Council will be delivered through the IP&R Framework.

Figure 9: The Integrated Planning and Reporting Framework

The Land-use Plan includes the Local Environmental Plan (LEP), Development Control Plans (DCPs) and a Local Strategic Planning Statement. Since the amalgamation of Great Lakes, Greater Taree and Gloucester Shire Councils in 2016, MidCoast Council has commenced developing a clear, consistent, region-wide planning framework across the entire LGA. It will be guided by the forthcoming Rural Strategy, which will set the strategic direction for all our rural, environmental and waterway zones. This is significant as rural and environmental lands cover around 95% of the MidCoast Local Government Area, including most of the land and water covered by the Coastal Management SEPP.

CMP actions to be implemented through Council’s Land-use Planning framework are shown in Theme 6: Land-use Planning.

The new Land-use Plan, when complete, will work together with the Manning River ECMP actions in the IP&R Framework to implement the objects of the Coastal Management Act along with Council and our community’s goals for the floodplain and catchment.

1.5.2 The ECMP Governance Structure

Implementation of the Manning River ECMP will be led by MidCoast Council’s Natural Systems team. A governance structure with three groups will foster integration between agencies and Council teams, ongoing technical advice and community collaboration. The groups are described below, and the CMP governance structure is shown in Figure 10.

Manning River ECMP Community Reference Group: Community-based strategic input will continue to be provided through the Manning River Estuary CMP Reference Group, a formal committee of Council. A review and appointment of the Reference Group will take place following the Council election in September 2021. The review will consider transferring government agencies currently represented in the Reference group to the CMP Working Group. It is an action of the ECMP to increase Aboriginal representation by appointing a second person from the Biripi community.

Manning River ECMP Technical Advisory Group (TAG): Technical advice will continue to be provided by the Manning River ECMP Technical Advisory Group, which will be assisted by several multi-stakeholder communities of interest currently being established in the MidCoast Region. Representatives from these groups will advise and liaise with the CMP Working Group to ensure adaptive program implementation is based on the best evidence, and projects are integrated across Council departments and other agencies. Communities of interest include Water Quality, Water Resilience, Water Management and the Manning River Helmeted Turtle Steering Committee. Industry representatives would be welcome additions to these groups.