In a document currently up for public exhibition, the Estuary Inundation Mapping Study looks at the possibility of rising sea levels and what this may mean for the ecosystems of the Bellingen and Kalang rivers and the land areas under their tidal influence.

The report makes clear that tidal inundation will become more frequent and have lasting consequences:

“The floodplains of the Kalang and Bellinger rivers between Urunga and Mylestom are low-lying and therefore subject to the potential inundation impacts of climate change and sea level rises. The potential impact to both private and public land as well as assets within Bellingen Shire is significant.

“Of all the areas at risk from coastal inundation, approximately 30 per cent to 40 per cent of these are deemed to have an intolerable level of risk (ie high or extreme).”

Given the low-lying nature and proximity to the estuary mouth, Urunga and Raleigh are “hot spot suburbs”, but the council document also flags other areas, not currently impacted by tidal inundation, as potential sites: 

“The broad floodplain area between Mylestom and Raleigh, and to the northwest of Repton and Raleigh, low-lying areas to the west of Yellow Rock Rd and to the east of the Pacific Highway. Several rural, residential and primary production properties around the townships of Raleigh, Mylestom, Repton and Fernmount, and numerous rural, residential properties situated on Newry Island may be affected.

“Likewise, properties in the Urunga industrial precinct, near the Urunga Golf Course/tennis courts and waterfront properties. Residential development at Urunga may also be at risk under future scenarios compared to the immediate timeframe.”

Rising sea levels are predicted to have a significant effect on the local economy with forestry, primary production and rural land at risk. Especially noted was “farmland and unsettled low-lying areas around Mylestom, Repton and Fermount”.

Perhaps the most obvious impact rising sea levels will have is on the shire’s natural assets. The Estuary Inundation Mapping Study is forthright: “Ecological communities are by far at the greatest risk, particularly at Urunga Lagoon where the largest continuous area of coastal saltmarsh is present. Based on the inundation and habitat mapping, it is predicted that sea level rises will impact on the low floodplains and littoral fringe of the upper, mid and lower reaches of the Bellinger and Kalang rivers and the full extent of Urunga Lagoon. This is predicted to impact on a variety of high value natural assets.”

The draft plan isn’t a plan of mitigation – it’s a tool for council to better assess risk to infrastructure and ecological assets.

It recommends taking into account the impact of sea levels rises when considering future developments and redevelopment of existing properties.

In addition, it advises careful habitat management to maintain ecological communities - particularly freshwater wetlands, coastal saltmarsh, swamp oak forest, swamp sclerophyll forest, lowland rainforest and riparian vegetation.

The draft Bellingen Shire Estuary Inundation Mapping Study will be available for public comment from Monday, November 3 to Sunday, December 15. 

Council will shortly be writing to local landowners who may be affected by this inundation.

Copies of the draft study will be available at the three shire libraries, the Mylestom Store and on council’s website.

Community Forum:

Council officers will be available to discuss the draft study and respond to questions at a community forum to be held as follows: 5pm - 7pm on Wednesday, November at Mylestom Community Hall, Mylestom Drive, Mylestom.

 For further details please contact Jane Eales, River and Biodiversity Projects officer on 6655-7300 or emailjeales@bellingen.nsw.gov.au.