Management of intermittently closed and open lakes and lagoons

There are about 70  intermittently closed lakes and lagoons (ICOLLs), along the NSW coast.

The Coffs Harbour area has a number of ICOLLs such as Woolgoolga Lake and Hearnes Lake.

ICOLLs alternate between being closed or open depending on rainfall in the catchment and the movement of sand as a result of wave action, tides and winds.

City of Coffs Harbour manages the ICOLLs in accordance with the relevant Coastal and Estuary Management Plan.

Most of the time it is better to let the ICOLL self-regulate and not artificially open the lake.

Woolgoolga Lake Entrance Opening Procedure(PDF, 3MB)