The Far South Coast Sub-region encompasses the NSW coastal catchments from Wallaga Lake in the North, extending south to the Nadgee Wilderness and the Cape Howe Range on the NSW / Victorian border.  These catchments have their water sheds in the forested escarpment of the Monaro tablelands in the West. The major river basins typically drain eastwards down steep, forested escarpment slopes, through mid-catchment foothills and valleys where cleared grazing land and forest land uses predominate, to floodplains with rich agricultural land. The rivers then enter the coastal zone, where they mix with sea water to become estuaries, surrounded by forested slopes and coastal plains. The coastal zone includes the estuaries and surrounding coastal lands, beaches, headlands, rock shelfs and the near shore reefs of the marine section of the catchments.

The major catchment areas of the Far South Coast sub-region includes 44 identified sub-catchments:

·          the Murrah River catchment area in the North contains 6 identified catchments, including the catchment for Wallaga Lake (comprising Bobundra, Dignams and Narira Creeks), the Murrah River (including Dry River), Bermagui River and several smaller catchments running eastwards from the Mumbulla coastal range (including Barragoot, Cuttagee and Wapengo creeks).

·          the Bega River catchment area in the middle contains 20 identified sub-catchments, including the Brogo and Bega River system, which drains to the Bega River estuary at Mogareeka. Other smaller coastal catchments include the catchments for Middle Lake, Nelson Lagoon, Wallagoot Lake, Bournda Lagoon and Tura Beach.

·          the Towamba River catchment area in the South contains 18 identified sub-catchments and includes the catchment for the Towamba River, which drains to the Kiah estuary at Twofold Bay. Other significant catchments in this area include the catchments for Merimbula lake, the Pambula River, Wonboyn Lake and the smaller coastal catchments of Twofold Bay at Eden. Further to the south is the Merrica River and Nadgee Lake, lying within the Nadgee wilderness area.

Major land uses in the Far South Coast sub-region include conservation and production forestry; and cleared land for grazing and irrigated agriculture. Many of the sub-region’s 44 sub-catchments are completely forested. Such areas include large tracts of declared Wilderness Area and National Park as well as significant areas of State Forest and private forest. Approximately 60% of the Bega River catchment has been cleared for grazing, agriculture and rural settlement. This represents the most - cleared example of all the Far South Coast catchments. A growing land use on the Far South Coast is for rural residential and coastal settlement as the population continues to grow.

The Bega Valley Shire Local Government Area closely matches the Far South Coast sub-region (with some small exceptions in the far north and south of the catchment area). The Shire’s population has grown from approximately 27,000 in 1991 to 32,500 in 2006. Urban centres include the towns of Bega, Merimbula / Tura Beach, Pambula and Eden / Boydtown. Each of these towns continues to grow and expand its footprint on the surrounding locality. Villages also undergoing significant population growth include Bermagui / Wallaga Lake, Cobargo, Kalaru, Tathra, Candelo and Wolumla. Rural residential areas in the coastal zone and surrounding towns and villages are also growing.

Service industries make up the major employment sector and this is closely followed by employment in the Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing sector, which accounts for approximately 970 jobs. Processing of primary products is another significant activity, making up the majority of the sub-region’s manufacturing employment total of approximately 1,000 jobs (2001).

Dairying and beef cattle grazing are the predominant agricultural activities in the sub-region with 78,300 cattle and calves, followed by 25,700 sheep and lambs (2001). Approximately 3,500 Ha of pastures are irrigated for dairy production. The total value of agricultural production was approximately $58 million (2001).

Much of the sub-region’s economy is linked to the productivity of the dairy industry and the value-adding of cheese processing, cutting and packaging industry led by Bega Cheese at North Bega multiplies this base agricultural production figure several - fold. There is a high level of dependence of this productivity on continued access to water from our rivers for pasture irrigation. A key focus for catchment management programs is a partnership with the Far South Coast dairy industry to support sustainable land use on dairy farms and improvements in river health, under the Bega River Health Agreement. This work includes co-investment in improved nutrient and sediment management, biodiversity conservation, riparian land and wetland management and irrigation efficiency improvement.

Forestry activity occurs across State Forests and private land and whilst there has been a decline in the number of local sawmills, timber products continue to be processed in the sub-region with a major sawmill and an export wood chip mill at Eden.

Fishing industry activity has declined in line with ongoing introduction of sustainable fishery management measures. Once a significant local fishing port, Bermagui now accounts for only minor fishing industry activity, however Eden remains a major fishing port with associated fish processing facilities.

The Far South Coast’s shellfish industry continues to grow in prominence as a significant part of the NSW aquaculture industry. Far South Coast oysters consistently win State and national awards for quality. Much of this reputation and market recognition relies on continued high standards of water quality delivered from our catchments.

Coastal values: The NSW Far South Coast has recently been recognised as Australia’s ‘Wilderness Coast’ for promotion as an international tourism icon. This coast has special values in that much of it is very remote from settlements and in near natural condition. Tourism is a significant industry for the far south coast economy. Tourist drawcards include the coast, the forests and the natural environment: a scenic mix of rural farm land  forest and coastline with attractive and clean beaches and estuaries. There are 24 estuaries and coastal lakes between Wallaga Lake in the north and Nadgee lake in the south. Many of these lakes are classified as ‘Intermittently Closed and Opening Lakes or Lagoons’ (ICOLL’s). During the closed phase these lakes are typically sensitive to pollution as they have no flushing capacity.

There are also seven shellfish production estuaries supporting the far south coast oyster and mussel industries. These industries are highly sensitive to water quality changes and maintain stringent safe food quality assurance programs. A partnership with oyster farming industries in five key production estuaries has been a recent focus for catchment management programs, with an aim to support clean runoff water and healthy estuaries.

Estuaries and coastal waters are increasingly important for recreational fishing activity. Pressure on coastal values from population growth and increased activity in the coastal catchments, a faster rate of sea level rise than elsewhere in Australia and pest and weed invasions make the coast a key focus for catchment management programs.

Whilst many rivers in undisturbed sub-catchments remain in near natural condition, rivers in cleared agricultural sub-catchments are generally in poor condition, suffering from erosion, sedimentation, loss of habitat and reduced environmental flows. Fish habitat and riparian land in such reaches is generally degraded from clearing and weed invasion. Catchment programs aim to protect and enhance reaches of river with high conservation values to ensure that these remain intact. Strategic sediment management sites have been identified and are being progressively treated across the catchment areas as funds permit. The Bega River catchment’s sediment management strategy remains a high priority. Riparian revegetation, stock - fencing and off-stream watering are prominent areas for investment of catchment management efforts in partnership with landholders to try to recover river health values. Strategic weed control in rivers and on adjacent riparian lands remains an ongoing priority for catchment action. The re-establishment of rainforest communities where appropriate in riparian land is a new area for exploration and experimentation.

Biodiversity values: there are 21 priority vegetation communities recognised within the Far South Coast sub-region. Endangered Ecological Communities are listed under NSWand Federal Government legislation. A focus for catchment management programs is to support private landholders to actively manage and conserve any priority vegetation or threatened fauna on their land. This work on private land complements the significant tracts of public forests that are managed for conservation and for sustainable production. The Far South Coast Conservation Management Network is a successful initiative to support landholders with responsibilities and interests in practical conservation of biodiversity on their land.

Invasive pests and weeds threaten biodiversity values across all these land tenures and also impact on agricultural production. Catchment management programs in the Far South Coast sub-region continue to have a strong emphasis on pest and weed management.

There is an ancient history of Aboriginal occupation on the Far South Coast, with a rich and varied culture and heritage, with strong associations with the natural heritage of the catchments and coastal areas. We are fortunate to have traditional owners living within south coast communities and maintaining traditional links with their country. An important challenge for catchment management programs is to continue to engage Far South Coast Aboriginal communities and organisations in the process of planning and implementing activities which protect natural resources and conserve culture and heritage. There are three Local Aboriginal Land Councils within the sub-region (Merrimans, Bega and Eden). Together the Land Councils are responsible for managing a significant private land estate across the sub-region. A priority action for catchment management programs is to support the Land Councils and local Aboriginal communities in managing land and ‘Sea Country’.

The Far South Coast Landcare Association supports the work of approximately twenty landcare and other community groups with a focus on protecting and reparing environmental values and promoting sustainable land management practices. In addition the Association supports individual land managers, young people and interested people to participate in a range of landcare activities. An important initiative is the “Far South Coast Local Leaders” program which aims to train and develop leadership qualities of local people involved in natural resource management issues. Support for landcare and development of landholder and community skills, knowledge and engagement in natural resource management, together with engagement of Aboriginal communities in this work, remain the highest priority for catchment management programs on the Far South Coast.