Managing the dynamic Sisters Creek Estuary
Sisters Creek is a dynamic estuary that naturally opens, closes and shifts over time in response to creek flows, waves, wind and tides. These changing conditions influence erosion and sand movement along the creek mouth and adjacent shoreline.
Waratah-Wynyard Council has undertaken numerous assessments to inform management and adaptation planning for the dynamic foreshore at the Sisters Creek estuary mouth. This work has involved collaboration with local and state government land and asset managers, as well as the Sisters Beach community.
A multi-criteria assessment was undertaken to evaluate environmental, technical, social, and long-term sustainability factors of the different options available for this area. The assessment found that active sand and vegetation management offers the most adaptive, cost-effective, and environmentally sensitive approach – especially considering future sea level rise and coastal change. In consideration of the options, technical assessment and community feedback, Council endorsed the active sand and vegetation management option at its February 2025 meeting.
What are we doing next
This next stage focuses on what we can do now at the mouth of Sisters Creek, when we have significant erosion events that have the potential to impact on public land, values and assets.
We will use an active management approach that combines strategic sand movement, vegetation management and access controls to help stabilise the foreshore and reduce coastal hazard risk.
To support this, we are developing clear management protocols that provide practical guidance on how and when these actions will be implemented around the Sisters Creek mouth. This will enable a coordinated and timely response to erosion events while the active management protocols are currently under development.
Working with the community
Community feedback gathered earlier in the project, alongside technical investigations, has helped inform the development of the creek mouth management protocols, which Council is currently preparing.
Once the protocols are complete, we will share more information about how they will be implemented and how the community can get involved.
The community has an important role to play in the success of these protocols and the long-term health of the foreshore. This includes participating in monitoring initiatives and taking simple actions to help protect the sensitive dunes and creek banks, ensuring these areas remain resilient for future generations.