Farquhar licence secured

Published on 29 September 2020

MidCoast Council has secured a 10-year Crown Lands licence to allow for the proactive management of the Farquhar Inlet at Old Bar.

This is the first time MidCoast Council has been able to secure a long term licence from Crown Lands, along with the required Aboriginal Heritage Impact Permit.

This means a flood notch can now be put in place when certain conditions are met, without further application to the NSW Government. To date Council has only been able to open the entrance during emergency flood situations.

“This is a positive development and the result of a significant amount of work over the last 18 months,” Council’s Manager of Natural Systems, Gerard Tuckerman explained.

Farquhar Inlet closes and opens intermittently depending on river flows. As the river flow drops the natural wave action and tidal forces push sand into the entrance, creating a natural sand barrier.

The licence that has been secured will allow Council to implement a notch in the sand when it reaches a certain height, as stipulated in the review of environmental factors submitted as part of the Crown Land Licence application and Council’s Farquhar Inlet Entrance Opening Plan.

The notch does not in itself open the inlet, rather it is designed to provide the conditions for a quick and effective opening when flood triggers are predicted.

Mr Tuckerman said a site survey has indicated the notch is not yet required as the entrance has only recently naturally closed and the height of the sand spit is minimal, with occasional wash over still occurring over the sand spit during high tide.

“We will continue to monitor the height of the sand and install the notch when it is required.”

The licence also permits future dredging of the designated navigation channels from the South Arm of the Manning River into Scotts Creek and Farquhar reserve.  

In the past Council has utilised emergency powers to implement a notch in the event of a predicted flood event.

“The newly obtained licence and associated Aboriginal Heritage Impact Permit allows Council to implement a maintenance management model where the notch is put in place and maintained in readiness for the next flood.”

For more information about Council’s coastal management operations head to the link above.