Ensuring sustainable development in coastal lake catchments of Northern Rivers (CLAM)

The research project will assess the sustainability of 8 coastal lakes in the Northern Rivers CMA region, within the timeframe of a review of Local Environment Plans, to assist local councils make planning decisions that will maintain, and where possible enhance, the economic, social, cultural and ecological values of these lakes. It will involve a review of the region's coastal Local Environment Plans and Urban Growth Strategies, to generate a coastal lakes risk assessment that will guide selection of the 8 lakes. The Coastal Lakes Assessment and Management (CLAM) decision support tool (dst) will be applied to these lakes to prepare Sustainability Assessment and Management Plans (SAMPs). Application of CLAM to the 8 lakes will be undertaken as part of a process whereby Local Government and other stakeholders and decision makers will be closely involved in the design and implementation of the tool.