Draft Orara River Rehabilitation Strategy 2026 - 2036
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Help shape the future of the Orara River and its waterways
A new 10-year plan for the Orara catchment is here - and your voice matters.
The City of Coffs Harbour and the Orara Valley RivercareGroups Management Committee have come together to create a draft strategy to care for and rehabilitate the Orara River and its surrounding waterways.
Now we’re inviting you to take a look and tell us what you think.
Whether you live locally, love visiting the river, or simply care about clean water and healthy environments - this is your chance to be part of what happens next.
Why the Draft Orara River Rehabilitation Strategy matters
The Orara River is more than just a waterway. It supports local ecosystems, provides drinking water for Coffs Harbour, and is a place for people come to relax, connect, and enjoy nature.
But like many river systems, it faces ongoing challenges - from weeds and erosion to water quality and land use pressures.
This strategy sets out how we can work together over the next decade to protect and improve the health of the river.
What's in the strategy?
The draft strategy focuses on practical, on-the-ground actions that make a real difference, including:
Rehabilitating native vegetation along riverbanks
Managing invasive weeds
Fencing to protect waterways from livestock
Reducing erosion and sediment runoff
Monitoring river health
Supporting landholders and educating the community
The work spans a large area - covering almost half of the waterways in the Coffs Harbour region, including the catchment that supplies the community’s drinking water.
This long-term effort builds on work that began in 1998, continuing a strong legacy of community care and environmental stewardship.
Where this work happens
The draft strategy focuses on the land alongside rivers, creeks and wetlands (known as riparian areas) across: Orara River, Urumbilum River, Bucca Bucca Creek and their connected tributaries.
These waterways sit within Gumbaynggirr Country and form part of the wider Clarence River system - one of the largest coastal river systems in south-eastern Australia.
How you can Have Your Say
You’re invited to take a look at the Draft Strategy, along with a Summary and FAQs to help you understand what’s proposed.
There are plenty of ways to get involved and have your say:
Online survey - a quick and easy way to share your thoughts, ideas or concerns about the draft Plan
Make a submission using the online form
Community pop ups - We’ll be out in the community and would love to see you at one of our upcoming events.
Jetty Foreshores Harbourside MarketsSunday 14 June | 8am – 2pm Upper Orara Hall(corner of Dairyville Road) Tuesday 16 June | 4:30pm – 6:30pm Nana Glen Winter Market, Memorial Hall Saturday 27 June | 8am – 12pm
Posting your feedback to: Locked Bag 155, Coffs Harbour NSW 2450
Support and accessible options are available. If you need help to review the draft Strategy or provide feedback, please contact the City.
📅 Submissions close on Tuesday 30 June 2026
What Happens Next
After the exhibition period closes, we’llgo through all the feedback and make any necessary changes. The final version will then go to Council for consideration of endorsement. Your feedback will help make sure the project reflects what’s important to our community.
Help shape the future of the Orara River and its waterways
A new 10-year plan for the Orara catchment is here - and your voice matters.
The City of Coffs Harbour and the Orara Valley RivercareGroups Management Committee have come together to create a draft strategy to care for and rehabilitate the Orara River and its surrounding waterways.
Now we’re inviting you to take a look and tell us what you think.
Whether you live locally, love visiting the river, or simply care about clean water and healthy environments - this is your chance to be part of what happens next.
Why the Draft Orara River Rehabilitation Strategy matters
The Orara River is more than just a waterway. It supports local ecosystems, provides drinking water for Coffs Harbour, and is a place for people come to relax, connect, and enjoy nature.
But like many river systems, it faces ongoing challenges - from weeds and erosion to water quality and land use pressures.
This strategy sets out how we can work together over the next decade to protect and improve the health of the river.
What's in the strategy?
The draft strategy focuses on practical, on-the-ground actions that make a real difference, including:
Rehabilitating native vegetation along riverbanks
Managing invasive weeds
Fencing to protect waterways from livestock
Reducing erosion and sediment runoff
Monitoring river health
Supporting landholders and educating the community
The work spans a large area - covering almost half of the waterways in the Coffs Harbour region, including the catchment that supplies the community’s drinking water.
This long-term effort builds on work that began in 1998, continuing a strong legacy of community care and environmental stewardship.
Where this work happens
The draft strategy focuses on the land alongside rivers, creeks and wetlands (known as riparian areas) across: Orara River, Urumbilum River, Bucca Bucca Creek and their connected tributaries.
These waterways sit within Gumbaynggirr Country and form part of the wider Clarence River system - one of the largest coastal river systems in south-eastern Australia.
How you can Have Your Say
You’re invited to take a look at the Draft Strategy, along with a Summary and FAQs to help you understand what’s proposed.
There are plenty of ways to get involved and have your say:
Online survey - a quick and easy way to share your thoughts, ideas or concerns about the draft Plan
Make a submission using the online form
Community pop ups - We’ll be out in the community and would love to see you at one of our upcoming events.
Jetty Foreshores Harbourside MarketsSunday 14 June | 8am – 2pm Upper Orara Hall(corner of Dairyville Road) Tuesday 16 June | 4:30pm – 6:30pm Nana Glen Winter Market, Memorial Hall Saturday 27 June | 8am – 12pm
Posting your feedback to: Locked Bag 155, Coffs Harbour NSW 2450
Support and accessible options are available. If you need help to review the draft Strategy or provide feedback, please contact the City.
📅 Submissions close on Tuesday 30 June 2026
What Happens Next
After the exhibition period closes, we’llgo through all the feedback and make any necessary changes. The final version will then go to Council for consideration of endorsement. Your feedback will help make sure the project reflects what’s important to our community.
Do not include personal or health information about another person without their consent.
Submissions will be published on the City’s website. Your name and suburb may be shown, but your contact details will not be published. Your personal information will be managed in line with City’s Privacy Management Policy and Privacy Statement.
Do not include personal or health information about another person without their consent
Submissions will be published on the City of Coffs Harbour website as part of the City’s commitment to openness and transparency. Your name and suburb may be shown, but your contact details will not be published. Your personal information will be managed in line with City of Coffs Harbour’s (City) Privacy Management Policy and Privacy Statement.
Confidential or anonymous submissions The City will only consider requests for submissions to be treated as confidential in exceptional circumstances, where there are overriding public interest considerations against the disclosure the information.If you wish to request confidentiality, send your submission and the reasons for your request to coffs.council@chcc.nsw.gov.au.
Draft Orara River Rehabilitation Strategy 2026 - 2036 is currently at this stage
Open from Monday 1 June and closes Tuesday 30 June 2026.
Under Review
this is an upcoming stage for Draft Orara River Rehabilitation Strategy 2026 - 2036
Consultation closed for evaluation and review. We will report back on key outcomes.
Decision by Council
this is an upcoming stage for Draft Orara River Rehabilitation Strategy 2026 - 2036
Feedback will be taken into consideration and the final drafts prepared for decision by Council.
Final report
this is an upcoming stage for Draft Orara River Rehabilitation Strategy 2026 - 2036
The final outcomes of the consultation are documented here. This may include a summary of all contributions collected as well as recommendations for future action.
