The Intertidal Marine Vegetation Strategies (IMVS) include separate reports and data packages that cover the floodplains of NSW estuaries. The study included extensive GIS modelling, mapping, data interrogation and an examination of literature to recommend management actions and improve the overall management of saltmarsh and mangrove habitats in NSW now and into the future. The geodata packages include information on high macrophyte potential, identified hotspots, recommended management actions (under Hydrology; Sediments; Vegetation; and People and Planning approaches), current mapped intertidal macrophytes, and projected intertidal vegetation with 0.5m and 1.5 m sea level rise. Links to relevant resources are also provided. Importantly, a landholders’ right to carry out agricultural or developmental activities on their land is not altered by their properties being identified in any IMVS documents and any involvement in delivering recommended management actions is entirely voluntary.

Note that the recommendations are based on site-specific conditions and available information at the time of writing. As both environmental and anthropogenic conditions are dynamic, appropriate management strategies may be subject to change and current site assessments are required. Initiating changes to protect or restore hydrology or sedimentation may be complex and have unanticipated environmental, social, cultural and economic outcomes. When recommended projects are planned, expert assessment and a scrutiny of proposed actions by relevant authorities is still warranted as works may result in changes to the key ecological drivers of intertidal wetlands.

Implementation of recommended actions must comply with regulatory requirements. Proposal assessments must be undertaken on a case-by-case basis as the approval pathway is not the same for every relevant Local Environmental Plan or SEPP. The planning approval pathway also depends on how a proposal is classified, the specific works to be undertaken, the location and land zoning, and whether the proponent is a public authority or private entity. There may also be other regulatory approvals that apply. Given the complexities of jurisdiction and classifications of works it is important to seek and retain written planning advice (for example, from a town planner and relevant approval authorities) during the planning stage so that environmental protection actions can be demonstrated as being compliant with current legislation and policy.