Manning River Entrance

The entrance to the Manning River includes two openings, one at Harrington to the north and one to the south, the Farquhar entrance at Old Bar. The Manning River experiences a high level of shoaling at Harrington, this can restrict safe access for vessels. A reliable and permanent river entrance would improve safety for commercial and recreational boat users and increase use of the River and investment opportunities throughout the Manning Valley.

In March 2020, the Minister for Transport and Roads and the Member for Myall Lakes announced the establishment of the Manning River Taskforce. The Taskforce looked at options for a permanent safe entrance to the Manning River for vessels.

The Taskforce included experts in coastal engineering, maritime infrastructure, coastal management, and maritime industry and was led by Transport for NSW.

Potential options have been considered over the years including the most recent feasibility study by Manly Hydraulics Laboratory. That report identified several options including construction of a new breakwater, routine dredging, stabilisation of the Manning Point with an artificial sandspit by using large sandbags.

The Taskforce explored options for a permanent entrance at the northern Harrington inlet and to improve access to the southern reach of the Manning River at Farquhar inlet. This assessment will inform the preparation of a Strategic Business Case.

In March 2021, the NSW Government announced funding for the development of a strategic business case (SBC) that looks at options for a permanent entrance to the Manning River.

The purpose of the SBC is to provide decision makers with information that will help make an informed decision on whether the project should progress to the next phase, which is to develop a final business case.

The SBC will be informed by:

• specialist technical advice and studies
• a preliminary environmental impact investigation
• demand and economic analyses
• an extensive stakeholder consultation process that involves key stakeholder groups.

The Maritime Branch of Transport for NSW is responsible for the development of the SBC and aims to submit a recommendation to Government in mid-2022.

• Report of the Manning River Taskforce - November 2020 (PDF, 815.57 KB)