FAQs

We’re updating the Riparian Corridor Management Strategy for the West Dapto Urban Release Area (WDURA). This strategy guides how waterways and surrounding land (riparian corridors) are protected and managed as development in West Dapto continues. The original strategy was created in 2004, but a lot has changed since then, including urban growth, environmental challenges, and best practice approaches to waterway protection.

The strip of land alongside a river, creek, or waterway. It includes the waterway itself and the surrounding vegetation and land.

We are updating the strategy to:

  Ensure waterways and riparian corridors are managed effectively as the area develops.

  Review and improve watercourse mapping, categorisation, and riparian buffers.

  Address flood risk, erosion control, and biodiversity protection.

  Provide clear, practical guidelines for landowners, developers, and Council.

  Balance urban growth with environmental sustainability.

The strategy will only focus on how riparian corridors are mapped, classified, and managed. It will not:

  Introduce new zoning restrictions beyond riparian areas.

  Stop development altogether - rather, it will ensure that development is managed responsibly alongside waterway protection.

  Affect existing approved developments that already meet current regulations.

This project aims to provide clarity and certainty for landowners and developers while ensuring waterways remain functional and healthy.

We’re seeking community feedback to help us update how riparian corridors in West Dapto are mapped and managed. We want to know if the proposed watercourse categorisations and buffer zones are accurate or if there are any that are incorrectly classified. 

We’re also asking about the impacts of land use and development – what challenges landowners and developers have faced, and whether the existing/proposed riparian buffer rules are workable in practice. 

Lastly, we’re keen to understand what’s working well, what needs improvement, and how responsibilities for managing these areas should be shared between landowners, Council, and developers.

Have a look at the report, maps and diagrams accompanying this information which shape the proposed strategy. Printed copies are also available at Dapto Library. The maps show the waterways we have identified and categorised based on their environmental value and management needs. The diagrams show the potential activities or uses that could be allowed in different watercourse categories and riparian buffers. 

Watercourse categories in the West Dapto Urban Release Area and Wollongong Local Government Area
Waterways in this area have been classified into three categories based on their environmental value and management needs. These categories include riparian buffers, which are vegetated zones of land next to waterways such as rivers, creeks, and streams.

Watercourse categories and buffers:

Riparian buffers help:

• Protect water quality.
  They filter pollutants and runoff before they enter the creek.
• Reduce erosion and flooding.
  Plant roots stabilise banks and plants slow down flooding.
• Support biodiversity.
  Buffers provide habitat for native plants and animals.
• Balance development and conservation.
  Wider buffers protect sensitive areas, while smaller buffers allow for practical land use.

We know the maps and diagrams can be hard to interpret. If you have questions, feel free to get in touch. Email engagement@wollongong.nsw.gov.au or call 4227 7111 and ask to speak with one of the project team. You can also submit your questions via the Q&A tool.

• Well-managed riparian buffers help protect property from erosion, reduce the risk of flood damage and provide an urban cooling effect.
• Healthy waterways contribute to a better landscape, which can increase property values over time.
• Better managing riparian zones now can prevent costly future repairs due to erosion or water damage.
• A clear strategy provides greater certainty about riparian management requirements, helping landowners and developers plan with confidence and avoid delays or compliance issues.

You can provide feedback by:

• Filling out the survey. Paper copies with reply-paid envelopes are also available at Dapto Library. 
• Sending written feedback via email to engagement@wollongong.nsw.gov.au  
• Phoning 4227 7111

We review all the feedback we heard from the community during the engagement period. This includes online engagement like a survey, face-to-face feedback, phone calls and written submissions. 

All feedback is important and is one factor in the decision-making process for Council. This graphic shows some of the factors we consider in our decision making:

The Engagement Team will update the community on what was heard during the engagement period in our 'Closing the loop' update. Our 'closing the loop' updates include how many voices we heard from, key themes in the feedback collected, and what our next steps are.

Everyone who provided feedback will receive the ‘closing the loop’ update. The broader community will be notified via Our Wollongong.