Tuross River Estuary and Coila Lake

The Tuross River Estuary is situated in the Eurobodalla Shire, immediately to the south of the town of Tuross Head.  The estuary forms a network of channels and is recognised for its ecological importance.  The Tuross Estuary is downstream of a very large, steep and mostly forested catchment.  The estuary predominantly open to the ocean, however reduced rainfall has lead to shoaling of the entrance and complete closure of the estuary mouth occurred in 2006 for the first time in about 70 years. The entrance has since been artificially opened.

Estuarine vegetation in the Tuross Estuary includes saltmarshes and mangroves in the intertidal zone and seagrass beds in the shallow subtidal areas.  The estuary supports a range of wildlife, especially birds.

The Tuross Estuary is classified as a recreational fishing haven and is protected from commercial fishing with no trawling, mesh nets or haul nets allowed.  For more information on recreational fishing havens visit the NSW Fisheries web site

Fishing and aquaculture | NSW Department of Primary Industries

Coila Lake is a large but shallow coastal lagoon situated immediately to the north of the Tuross Estuary, separated by a ridge of land that is about 0.5 to 1km wide.  The catchment of Coila Lake is relatively small which has resulted in the lake only being open to the ocean intermittently and usually for short periods.

Coila Lake contains extensive areas of seagrass and the fringing vegetation is mainly casuarinas and saltmarsh.  The lake is open to commercial fishing and contains an important habitat for the Greenback prawn, a species that can complete its life cycle in enclosed waters without migrating to the sea.

All Documents are in PDF unless otherwise stated.

Tuross Estuary and Coila Lake Entrance Management Study

Section 1: Executive Summary, Contents and Introduction (943kb)
Section 2: Overview of Estuary Processes (1566kb)
Section 3: Overview of Estuary Processes (continued) (1190kb)
Section 4: Values, Issues and Management Options (1134kb)
Section 5: Detailed Descriptions of Preferred Options (1300kb)
Section 6: Detailed Descriptions of Preferred Options (continued) (1550kb)
Section 7: Detailed Descriptions of Preferred Options (continued) (1089kb)
Section 8: Detailed Descriptions of Preferred Options (continued) (1114kb)
Section 9: Detailed Descriptions of Preferred Options (continued) (924kb)
Section 10: Detailed Descriptions of Preferred Options (continued) (1476kb)
Section 11: Issues for Consideration in Developing a Waterway Usage Management Plan (735kb)
Section 12: Issues for Consideration in Developing a Waterway Usage Management Plan (continued) (1436kb)
Section 13: Issues for Consideration in Developing a Waterway Usage Management Plan (continued) (1251kb)

Tuross Estuary and Coila Lake Entrance Management Plan

Section 1: Contents and Introduction (1200kb)
Section 2: Community Consultation and Strategies (657kb)
Section 3: Implementation (287kb)
Section 4: Information Brochures and Coila Lake Entrance Management Policy (978kb)
Section 5: Draft Tuross Estuary and Coila Lake Foreshore Management Plan (1494kb)
Section 6: Draft Tuross Estuary and Coila Lake Waterway Usage Management Plan (1176kb)
Section 7: Draft Tuross Estuary and Coila Lake Waterway Usage Management Plan (1607kb)
Section 8: Draft Tuross Estuary and Coila Lake Waterway Usage Management Plan (1672kb)

Figure 4.2a: Masterplan-Area A (Coila Lake) (1625kb)
Figure 4.2b: Masterplan-Area B (Broadwater) (1510kb)
Figure 4.2c: Masterplan-Area C (Tuross Entrance) (1597kb)
Figure 4.2d: Masterplan-Area D (Upper Tuross Estuary) (2084kb)
Figure 4.2.e: Masterplan-Area E (Tuross River Valley) (1416kb)
Figure 4.3: Catchment Management Mini Masterplans (1772kb)
Figure 4.4: Biodiversity Mini Masterplans (1780kb)
Figure 4.5: Water Quality Mini Masterplans (1510kb)
Figure 4.6: Foreshore Management Mini Masterplans (1453kb)
Figure 4.7: Waterway Usage Mini Masterplans (1307kb)