Enhancing community life by boosting recreational opportunities at a popular coastal lake

Lake Illawarra Maritime Assets Prioritization

Lake Illawarra is a shallow coastal lagoon located south of Sydney. As an icon of the Illawarra region, it’s a popular recreational area. Maritime structures such as wharves, jetties, and viewing platforms are valuable assets within the community, particularly for boating, fishing, birdwatching, and kayaking.

The NSW Department of Planning, Industry and Environment (DPIE) engaged us to help determine which of these marine structures should be prioritized for future repairs and upgrades. Our team used a multi-criteria analysis to facilitate an Assets Prioritization and Usage Report. This included condition assessments, strategic planning documents, and consultation reports. As part of this process, we adapted to evolving COVID-19 restrictions and developed digital online engagement tools to collect community feedback as well as a detailed COVID-19 Safe Community Consultation Plan for drop-in sessions.

After establishing the work needed on the structures, we reviewed each site to determine the appropriate planning pathway needed for approval. We needed to assess each site for environmental factors or conduct a statement of environmental effects, including ecological and contamination assessments.

With these assessments in hand, the DPIE will be able to plan for the future with upgrading amenities at this much-loved coastal lake.