Arrawarra Creek is a small estuarine water body situated at Arrawarra, approximately 30 kilometres north of Coffs Harbour.  The creek has a typical water area of around 0.2km2 and a catchment area of approximately 20km2.   It is generally accepted that the creek is in good health. 
While the creek is open to the sea most of the time, it occasionally closes due to natural accretion of the entrance sand berm, giving it a classification of an ICOLL - an Intermittently Closed and Open Lake or Lagoon.  When closed from the ocean tidal exchange is limited which can effect water quality and the health of fish in the creek.  

The estuary catchment has several cultural heritage sites that are highly valued by the local aboriginal community, which include middens and open campsites.  Breakout events of the closed creek can cause erosion of a large midden located adjacent to the estuary entrance.

While Coffs Harbour City Council have artificially opened the estuary a number of times in the past, the Interim Entrance Management Strategy, Arrawarra Creek has been developed to limit mechanical opening of the ICOLL unless clear risks to both ecological and human health are present.

Interim Entrance Management Strategy, Arrawarra Creek Part 1 (7.09 MB)
Interim Entrance Management Strategy, Arrawarra Creek Part 2 (3.21 MB)