As part of the work to prepare a Coastal Management Program (CMP), Council has completed an updated technical study on coastal hazards, including new hazard mapping. The study updates the original 2010 Coastal Zone Study and provide a clearer picture of the areas that may be vulnerable to coastal hazards now and up to 2125.

The updated study draws on newly available data and contemporary scientific methods and identifies key coastal hazards including beach erosion and shoreline recession, coastal watercourse entrance instability, coastal cliff instability, coastal inundation during storm events, tidal inundation and erosion of estuary foreshores.

The hazard-specific reports and an overall Coastal Hazard Risk Assessment report are now available in the Documents section. Hazard mapping is available to view on Council’s Online Maps page.

At its meeting on 23 March 2026, Council resolved to endorse the Wollongong Coastal Management Program - Stage 2 Coastal Hazard Risk Assessment Report and Coastal Hazard Mapping. You can read the meeting minutes for more details.

The Study results will guide future development assessments and planning decisions in the same way that the 2010 study did, and the risks identified in the Coastal Hazards Risk Assessment report will inform what actions are needed in the future CMP. By improving our understanding of existing and future coastal risks, Council can better plan for resilient communities, sustainable development, and healthy coastal environments for generations to come.

Check out this video about the Coastal Hazards Study