Narrabeen Lagoon Catchment Projects

• Caring for our Catchment DVD
• Plan of Management
• Entrance Management
• Flood Study
• Multi-use Trail Project
• Estuary Management Plan and Study
• Crown Lands Assessment
• Creating a Sustainable Catchment Project

Have you considered how fortunate we are to have Narrabeen Lagoon? It is a place where locals and visitors can go bushwalking, swimming, kayaking, paddle boarding, bird watching, sailing or enjoy a relaxing picnic in one of Sydney’s most spectacular environments.  

Narrabeen Lagoon, the largest of Warringah’s four coastal lagoons, is one of the northern beaches greatest natural assets. Visited by over 1,000 people a day the lagoon showcases a fragile and diverse aquatic and terrestrial ecosystem. The waterbody covers 2km2 and its 55km2 catchment acts as a wildlife habitat refuge and nursery.  

Flora and fauna

If you’re lucky when visiting Narrabeen Lagoon you might catch a glimpse of a ringtail possum, bandicoot, sugar glider, superb fairy-wren, giant mulloway or even an endangered powerful owl. If you have time after a long day by the water, why don't you wander through one of the last remaining stands of Swamp Mahogany Forest.  More on Narrabeen Lagoon's Flora and Fauna.

Aquatic animals

The seagrasses found in the lagoon are particularly valuable as a nursery, providing food and shelter for many aquatic animals, including commercially and recreationally important fish, crabs and prawns. Seagrass meadows are renowned worldwide as rich and productive nursery areas for juveniles of economically important species. The challenge is to preserve the beauty of this unique area. More on Narrabeen Lagoon's aquatic animals.

Caring for our Catchment DVD

Come on a journey to explore the beauty and spirit of the Narrabeen Lagoon Catchment. Listen to stories of long-held bonds between people and the lagoon and find out what you can do to preserve the lagoon's unique environment. Click here to play the movie.

Plan of Management

The development of the Narrabeen Lagoon Plan of Management provides a fantastic opportunity for the current land managers to consider the social, environmental, educational, recreational and commercial potential of the lagoon and develop a shared vision for the future that encourages the sustainable management and conservation of this precious natural resource. More Narrabeen Lagoon Plan of Management

Entrance Management

When the amount of sand that is moved into the lagoon entrance by the incoming tide continually exceeds the amount of sand removed by the outgoing tide, the entrance to the lagoon becomes filled with marine sediment. To reduce the risk of flooding, Warringah and Pittwater Councils undertake clearance operations. More on Narrabeen Lagoon Entrance Management.

Flood Study

Narrabeen Lagoon Flood Study is being reviewed. The new flood study will use computer technology to accurately map flooding from the lagoon, creeks and tides. It will also address issues such as climate change. More on NL Flood Study.

Multi-use Trail Project

The Narrabeen Lagoon Multi-use Trail Project aims to design and construct 2.5km of trail and pedestrian bridge infrastructure between Deep Creek and South Creek. More on the Narrabeen Lagoon Multi-use Trail Project.

 

Estuary Management Plan and Study

Under the NSW Estuary Management Policy, local councils are responsible for the preparation and implementation of management plans for estuaries in their jurisdiction. Warringah and Pittwater Councils developed the Narrabeen Lagoon Estuary Management Study, 2002 (PDF, 2MB) and Narrabeen Lagoon Estuary Management Plan, 2002 (PDF, 8MB).

The goal of the Management Plan is to achieve a balance between the environment and human influences within Narrabeen Lagoon. This will assist in maintaining and enhancing the ecological, aesthetic and recreational value of the lagoon and initiates community education on the link between the lagoon and its catchment.  

Crown Lands Assessment (Belrose, Cromer, Oxford Falls)

This assessment was undertaken by the Department of Lands in order to consider the future use and management of numerous parcels of Crown Land within Belrose, Cromer and Oxford Falls. More on Crown Lands Assessment.

Creating a Sustainable Catchment Project

Narrabeen Lagoon was given a new lease of life in 2007 with a $1.9million grant. The grant was spent between 2007 and 2011 on a catchment-wide education program and on ground works, such as creek bank remediation and bush regeneration. More on Creating a Sustainable Catchment Project.