The Lower Hunter and Central Coast Regional Environmental Management Strategy (LHCCREMS) is an initiative of the region's seven Councils to collectively improve and promote innovative responses to key environmental issues. The seven participating councils define the LHCCREMS study area. These are Gosford, Wyong, Lake Macquarie, Newcastle, Port Stephens, Maitland and Cessnock. This encompasses a total land area of over 563,000 hectares.