State of the Beaches 2023-24 South Coast region

Abstract

The water quality of beaches and other swimming locations is monitored under the NSW Government’s Beachwatch programs to provide the community with accurate information on the cleanliness of the water and to enable individuals to make informed decisions about where and when to swim. Routine assessment also measures the impact of pollution sources, enables the effectiveness of stormwater and wastewater management practices to be assessed and highlights areas where further work is needed.Recreational water quality has been monitored in the South Coast region since 2002 by Shoalhaven City Council and Eurobodalla Shire Council under the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water’s Beachwatch Partnership Program. This report summarises the performance of 21 swimming sites on the south coast of New South Wales, providing a long-term assessment of how suitable a site is for swimming. Monitored sites include ocean beaches and an estuarine swimming site in Wagonga Inlet.