Future developments associated with the plan to permanently open the Manning River estuary entrance between Harrington and Manning Point and Old Bar's Farquhar Inlet should be supported by an 'extensive stakeholder consultation process'.
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This is according to the latest Manning River Taskforce report, issued to MidCoast Council.
The taskforce stated the community and impacted industries and stakeholders must be consulted while the development of MidCoast Council coastal zone management plans must be considered. The taskfoprce is chaired by NSW Maritime and Transport for NSW's Andrew Mogg alongside members Anna Zycki, Asher Miners, Bruce Thom, Darren Vaux, Adrian Panuccio and Chris Hanger.
The report outlined the work by the taskforce to identify the best options to proceed with for further analysis and to help the State government with decision-making associated with the project.
The taskforce's other recommendation was for the project to enter the strategic business case phase.
It will be developed by Transport for NSW and the Department of Regional NSW.
On the back of expert engineering advice, the taskforce identified three options that will be elaborated on in the business case: a routine dredging scheme, southern entrance breakwater and Manning Point twin breakwaters.
The first option would see regular dredging completed to maintain accessibility to the Harrington entrance.
This would occur in the shoal of the Harrington entrance every five years, with the spoil placed along the sand spit on Manning (Point) Beach.
The taskforce stated this option would avoid a substantial up-front cost but a regular funding source would be required.
Other identifiable issues included regular monitoring of the entrance to ensure navigability and uncertainly about how long constant dredging will be functional.
The southern entrance breakwater option would result in the construction of a southern breakwall to stabilise the river at Harrington.
According to the report, the northern breakwater was built more than 100 years ago, with discussion in relation to the construction of a second one on the southern side dating back to 1885.
The proposed southern wall would be 3350m in length.
It was recommended further studies should review the alignment of the breakwall and and whether it could be reduced to 1500m.
The practicality of constructing the breakwall at this location, any foreseeable sea level rise impacts on the design and suitable construction material for long term durability must be considered.
The taskforce identified improved navigation, a constantly open entrance that generates new conditions such as improved tidal flushing and discharge of flood water and improved estuary health as benefits for this option.
However, this would result in a high cost in excess of $170m in construction and further maintenance costs.
It would also be difficult to construct the breakwall due to poor access to the southern side of the entrance by land, and would significantly change the local hydraulic and hydrodynamic behaviour.
The report states a southern entrance breakwall would generate changes to existing coastal processes which are not well understood.
It's also stated a permanent entrance could lead to more frequent closures of Farquhar Inlet which could lead to more extensive erosion of nearby coastline and therefore impact water quality.
The twin breakwater option would see the creation of a new opening at the narrowest point of the Mitchells Island sand spit.
The opening of 250-300m would be stabilised by two breakwalls, each between 500-700m offshore.
The southern breakwall would be longer than the northern breakwall to reduce impact of sediment bypassing and align the channel in a northerly direction.
The taskforce said this option has the potential for development of a harbour or marina in the former channel and shorter route to the ocean from developed areas.
At an estimated $100m, this option would be less expensive and less complex than the southern entrance breakwall option and would provide addition protection to Manning Point in severe weather events.
The design would need to consider nearby wetland areas, back channel entrance and interaction with Farquhar Inlet.
The taskforce stressed protection for endangered species and management of coastal industries such as oyster farming must be considered through every process.
As such, Hastings Birdwatchers has weighed into the debate about potential threats to endangered species if the plans proceed.
The group says it will be a 'death knell' for the area's birdlife, including critically endangered Eastern Curlews and Beach Stone-curlews.
A community-led push is underway to see a safe and navigable waterway to the entrance of the Manning River at Harrington and a permanently open entrance at Farquhar Inlet.
Leading the campaign is the Manning River Action Group, which is calling on MidCoast councillors to lobby the Member for Myall Lakes Stephen Bromhead and Federal Member for Lyne Dr David Gillespie MP to assist with secure funding for the project.
Support has come from a number of areas, including the fishing industry, oyster farmers, dairy farmers, Harrington Chamber, Business Taree, Team Taree, Businessmen's Association, recreational fishers, tourism operators and moteliers, building industry, legal fraternity, sporting clubs, real estate industry and the indigenous community.
The action groups says managed areas for protection of shorebirds, including Little Terns, is now urgent; flood mitigation is high on the agenda as is protecting Manning Point from serious flood damage; and clean water for the oyster farmers and fishing industries is paramount.
Mr Bromhead said a ministerial taskforce has reviewed options for providing a permanent entrance to the Manning River and a report will be presented to the government.
BirdLife Australia condemns the proposal, which could permanently destroy vital habitat for migratory shorebirds, seabirds and beach-nesting birds, and is asking the NSW government, which is funding the strategic business case for the plan, take into account the significant environmental and economic concerns of the local community.
Hastings Birdwatchers representative Peter West said the proposal would result in permanent habitat damage.
"I'm really concerned about the possible changes proposed for the Manning estuary at Farquhar Inlet, Old Bar, and at Harrington," Mr West said.
"Both sites are wonderful natural places as shown by the large numbers of migratory and local shorebirds using the estuary.
"Many of these are threatened, such as the critically endangered Eastern Curlew, and so protected by the EPBC Act.
"The mudflats are key feeding areas and the sand dunes are nesting sites for several endangered species including the Little Tern and Australian Pied Oystercatcher. A pair of critically endangered Beach Stone-curlews also breed there.
"With many years of surveying the birds at these sites we know the damage that could be done by dredging and construction of break walls."
BirdLife Australia's Mick Roderick said in summer, this area is home to migratory birds that fly halfway across the world to feed and rest on the spits and sandbars.
"Dredging them up and building a wall will mean they have nowhere to go," Mr Roderick said.
"Many of these birds are already threatened with imminent extinction. This move will only hasten the demise of these magnificent creatures.
"Whatever way you spin it, this is a terrible idea. It just doesn't add up, economically or environmentally."
The Manning River Estuary is recognised as a nationally significant area for Pacific Golden Plovers, Double-banded Plovers, Sanderlings and Eastern Curlews. It is also one of the most important Little Tern breeding sites in NSW and home to a pair of breeding Beach Stone-curlews, which are critically endangered in the state.
BirdLife Australia's head of conservation, Samantha Vine, said nature laws need to be strengthened so nationally important habitat for endangered species remain protected.
Ms Vine said the area is the only place in Australia to see Aleutian Terns, Kentish Plovers and other vagrant birds, and visitors regularly flock to catch sight of these elusive visitors.
