The Cooks River Alliance is developing the Cooks River Catchment coastal management program (CMP) to improve the health of the river. CMPs set the long-term strategy for the coordinated management of the coast, with a focus on achieving the objects and objectives of the Coastal Management Act 2016.

Our CMP gives us the opportunity to tackle long-term complex issues facing the river that can only be addressed collectively. The CMP will be a Whole of River plan for climate change, preserving Aboriginal culture, water quality, community use, river and beach access, biodiversity degradation and flooding.

The Cooks River Community Values survey is an important part of the CMP process, providing information about what the community values about the Cooks River and its tributaries, what they would like to see improved, and how their activities around the waterways might change if conditions continue to improve. This information will be used to identify and evaluate future management actions.

The survey ran from 30 July to 5 September 2021. The survey consisted of an online survey and interactive map. The survey received 1,101 responses.

The survey outcomes support the 2030 Community Vision and its four supporting objectives, providing more detailed information and specific ideas about what people imagine for the future of the river and its tributaries.

Cleaner water, waterway naturalisation and cleaning up litter and debris are top priorities. The work done so far to restore natural areas and naturalise river banks is appreciated, and people would like to see similar works done elsewhere.

People imagine that their use of waterways and their surrounds would increase if conditions improve. They appreciate recent upgrades to improve access and facilities, and would like to see other gaps addressed.

The Cooks River community see a major need for improvement in opportunities to engage with Aboriginal history and contemporary Aboriginal culture around the catchment’s waterways.

The community recognise that management is improving but want to see restoration efforts continue. They expect a holistic and cooperative approach to a place they experience as a whole.