New map shows coastal lands protected over half a century

31 January 2025

The NSW Government is celebrating having brought 15,000 hectares of coastal lands into public ownership over the last 52 years with a new map showing the location, details and current public use of the sites being protected.

The Coastal Lands Protection Scheme began in 1973 and involves land being bought by the NSW Government to be managed by the local council or the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service.

The scheme covers the entire NSW coastal zone except for the Greater Sydney area between Broken Bay on the Central Coast and Minnamurra River south of Shellharbour.

The map will soon grow with the addition of 277 hectares at Nabiac and 78 hectares at Hat Head on the Mid-North Coast.

The lower Wallamba River will continue to be rehabilitated thanks to the Nabiac acquisition which was made possible due to the NSW Government working collaboratively with Mid Coast Council to improve water health.

The scheme has an annual budget of $3 million to acquire land.

The map will continue to be updated as new land is acquired. View the Coastal Lands Protection Scheme map

Landowners and interested stakeholders can nominate land for potential purchase via the Coastal Lands Protection Scheme.

Executive Director, Environment and Infrastructure Planning and Resilient Places, Steve Hartley said:

"This new map is an informative guide to the vital work of this scheme in safeguarding some of the most picturesque parts of the state for the community.

"I encourage people to take a look to see how these important parcels are being protected and opened up to the public.

"The recent Nabiac acquisition is a great example of how different levels of government and state agencies can work together to achieve significant long-term outcomes for the community."