The main aim of the Coastal and Estuary Grants Program is to manage risks from coastal hazards, restore and maintain coastal habitats and improve the health of estuaries, wetlands and coastal rainforests in New South Wales.

Funding is available to support councils to transition into the coastal management framework. Councils and their communities can prepare CMPs that respond to existing and emerging coastal challenges and opportunities.

Funding will support councils to: 

• meet their statutory objectives under the new framework, by using the guidance and materials being provided as part of the coastal reforms 
• plan coastal and estuary management activities, e.g. to prepare scoping studies, hazard and risk assessments, feasibility analyses, cost-benefit analysis, distributional analysis and CMPs.

The funding for preparing CMPs allows the NSW Government to deliver on its objectives for coastal management by: 

• enabling councils and their communities to mitigate current and future risks from coastal hazards, taking into account the effects of climate change 
• encouraging and promoting strategies to improve the resilience of public coastal assets to the impacts of an uncertain climate future, including the impacts of climate change
• promoting integrated and coordinated coastal planning, management and reporting
• supporting public participation in coastal management and planning and promoting greater public awareness, education and understanding of coastal processes and management actions.

What will be funded?

• Development of CMPs (including individual stages) or the transition of a CZMP to a CMP, consistent with the NSW Coastal Management Manual. 
• Studies to understand coastal processes and map coastal hazards/coastal vulnerability area that are needed to develop a CMP.
• Studies to understand threats to coastal management areas within the NSW coastal zone that are needed to develop a CMP. 
• Investigations and designs for infrastructure works recommended in a certified CMP.
• Cost-benefit analyses (see Guidelines for using cost-benefit analysis to assess coastal management options) and distributional analysis for actions in certified CMPs.

Funding

The State Government will provide $2 for every $1 provided by the applicant (2:1 ratio). In-kind contributions cannot be used as matching contributions. Applicants cannot use funds from other sources for their matching contribution.

Eligibility

Local councils, county councils, Joint Organisations (established under an Act of Parliament) and incorporated Regional Organisations of Councils (ROC) are eligible to apply.

• Phone: (02) 9895 6494
• Email: coastalestuary.floodgrants@environment.nsw.gov.au