A NSW Government website

The health of our estuaries

The estuaries of New South Wales are some of our greatest natural assets. We monitor the ecosystem health of 164 estuaries and swimming health of 24 estuaries.

 

Our scientists monitor ecosystem health in our estuaries using a standard monitoring and evaluation program. We use this data to calculate a report card grade that summarises water quality and aquatic ecosystem health. We also monitor the swimming suitability in some of our estuaries as part of the Beachwatch program.

We work directly with many local councils to deliver annual estuary report card grades for estuaries in their local areas. Local councils also carry out monitoring to assess swimming suitability in their local area as part of the Beachwatch Partnership Program.

Search NSW estuary profiles