The New South Wales Management Estuary Process

Project Brief

The review of the Jimmys Beach Management Plan is part of an ongoing commitment by the GLC and the DECC to address the identified erosion problems and manage the beach for the whole community.

Specifically, this project will comprise:

Stage One - Data Review & Development of Sediment Budget Concept Model
Stage Two - Assessment of Sand Nourishment Strategies
Stage Three - Assessment of Alternative Management Options and the Associated Impacts
Stage Four - Preparation of the Draft Revised Jimmys Beach Management Plan

The first step in the process was the formation by Great Lakes Council of a the Technical Subcommittee, which is chaired by a Local Councillor. The composition of the committee has been determined by Council to address the specific issues and problems of the study area and also includes representatives from state government departments alongside local resident and community interest groups.

The first stage comprises a comprehensive technical assessment of the coastal processes (based primarily on existing process data) that affect the study area. The assessment incorporates the compilation and detailed review of historic photogrammetric data, including more recent information not included in the original assessment. Stage One will also include identification, quantification and evaluation of coastal hazards and their impacts for nominated planning periods. The outcome will be a comprehensive conceptual model of the sediment budget at Jimmys Beach.

Stages Two, Three & Four will evaluate the various management options and recommend a final strategy for the future management of the beach.

The Study Team

Coastal processes studies, management studies and the preparation of the management plan & strategies require a multidisciplinary approach with input from a number of professional areas. MHL provides the necessary experience and expertise for these studies with almost fifty years of experience in coastline management. The GLC has commissioned a team of specialist consultants from MHL who have the necessary experience in their respective fields to address each of the study components. Aspects of the study will include:

project management;
coastal processes;
geology and geomorphology;
erosion and sedimentation;
dredging feasibility;
evaluation of nourishment performance;
legislative requirements;
hydrodynamics and hydrology;
water and sediment quality;
aquatic and fringing terrestrial ecology;
waterway usage;
planning, land and foreshore usage; and
community consultation.

Study Objectives

GLC require a reassessment of the adopted Jimmys Beach Management Plan (1990) in the light of recent experience with beach nourishment. The final outcome of the commission will be the preparation of a revised management strategy for the ongoing management of the beach.

Photo Gallery and Issues

Relevant photos and drawings will be added to the gallery from time to time. Click on the "thumbnail" to view the image.

Jimmys Beach, November 1999
The 9th Annual NSW Coastal Conference was held at Forster during the week-ending 19 November 1999. A highlight of the Conference was a tour of Winda Woppa, the Myall River and the lower Myall Lakes. Delegates visited Jimmys Beach and an outline of the problems and current managment strategy was provided by the Project Director, Mr Doug Lord. The Lively disscussion amongst this group of leading coastal environmental managers, engineers and coastal processes experts provided timely assistance to the current review.

The northern foreshores of Port Stephens, 1980
A narrow sand spit (sometimes termed the Yacaaba Isthmus) separates the Myall River from Yacaaba Head. Jimmys Beach (Winda Woppa) is at the landward end of the spit. This aerial photo was taken around 1980.

Bulldozers working the Beach Dune near Kururma Crescent, 1983
Issues for Jimmys Beach which include the mitigation of erosion and management to avoid emergency measures (as shown here protecting the road in 1983) will be investigated.

Jimmys Beach, 1999
Jimmys Beach is currently used for recreation and is a popular holiday destination.

Relevant Data and Live Updates

MHL is responsible for the collection of coastal and estuarine oceanographic and hydraulic data along the NSW Coast. This data can be accessed through the MHL website at

Data which may be of direct interest to residents of Jimmys Beach can be accessed below:

Sydney and Crowdy Head offshore waverider buoys
Port Stephens Tides

Jimmys Beach Bulletin Board

This bulletin board has been deactivated. Please mail comments, input or suggestions directly to:
Principle Engineer
Manly Hydraulics Laboratory
110b King Street
Manly Vale NSW 2093
Phone: 02 99490200 Fax: 02 99486185

Study Timetable & Key Consultation Dates

The Final stage 1 and 2 report "Conceptual Sediment Budget & Beach Nourishment Practices" has been finalised and was submitted in April 2000. The Draft Yamba Coastline Management Study Coastal Processes and Hazard Definition Report has been submitted to council.

The final phase of the Study is currently underway. A Public Meeting will be held on a Saturday during April 2001 to present the preferred management strategy and draft management plan to the public and committee. The date for this meeting will be announced soon.

A thorough program of community consultation continues during the management study and management plan phases of the investigation, so stay in contact with this page for further updates.