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About the Lake Illawarra Authority

• Charter
• Aims and objectives of the Lake Illawarra Authority
• Structure and organisation
• Administration and access
• Operations
• Annual reports
• Minutes of meetings
• Areas of Department of Environment and Climate Change
  relevant to the Lake Illawarra Authority
• Disclaimer

Charter

The Lake Illawarra Authority Act 1987 was proclaimed on February 11, 1988.

The NSW Government established the Lake Illawarra Authority (LIA) with the aim of transforming the degraded waters and foreshores of Lake Illawarra into an attractive recreational and tourist resource.

The restoration of ecological values was identified as an important objective. The authority was charged with the task of repairing the environmental damage that had accumulated over decades, both within the lake itself and along lake foreshores. 

The degradation of the lake is primarily due to the population explosion in lake catchment areas since World War II. Since the authority was first established, public expectations for a restored lake environment have intensified.

There is a greater awareness among local communities as to the value of the lake.  Children are also now more aware of the fragility of the ecological environment, and the threats to the lake arising from development. 

However population size in the catchment of the lake continues to grow, and unless erosion and pollution controls are rigidly enforced areas such as West Dapto, Kembla Grange and parts of Albion Park and Shellharbour will seriously impact upon the lake.
 

Aims and objectives of the LIA

The intent of the Authority's activities has been to restore the ecological environment of the lake whilst recognising the importance that the community places on the lake as a vital regional recreational and tourist resource. Tourism is an emerging industry in the Illawarra hence the importance of continuing the restoration program.

The works considered necessary to bring about real and lasting improvements to Lake Illawarra have included:

• Works to promote seagrass regeneration and extension as well as works to promote circulation of lake water.
• The removal of ooze, silt and sediments from deltas and near-shore areas.
• Silt and debris interception devices such as silt traps and nutrient filters.
• The clearing of unnatural algal blooms and the removal of rotting plant matter on and adjacent to the foreshores of the lake.
• The reestablishment of foreshore estuarine ecosystems through habitat restoration.
• The carrying out of works for the protection and improvement of the environment.
• The provision of recreational facilities and amenities including beaches, foreshore pathways, parklands, boat ramps, boatsheds, jetties, wharves, moorings and appropriately screened car parks in order to focus activity away from environmental sensitive areas.
• Works to secure, promote and/or restore important features of local Koori significance.

All members of the Authority are appointed because they are committed to achieving lasting improvements to the lake. The restoration of the lake will benefit natural ecosystems, tourism, recreational opportunities and the quality of life for residents and visitors.

It is recognised that the catchment of the lake will be subject to further development and it is understood that both Wollongong City and Shellharbour City Councils are striving to limit any further pressures upon the lake that may arise from ongoing development in the catchment of the lake. The challenge long recognised by the Authority is to ensure natural lake ecosystems are restored as far as possible to their redevelopment condition to compliment future gains in catchment management.

In pursuing the above objectives, the Authority is committed to working with the community/local councils and government agencies to raise awareness about the need to reduce sediment and nutrient input from within the catchment of Lake Illawarra. Through specific promotional and educational initiatives the Authority also seeks to enhance appreciation about how individuals in the community can each play a part in arresting further decline of the lake.
 

Structure and organisation

The Lake Illawarra Authority consists of ten part-time members appointed by the Minister for Climate Change and the Environment. Wollongong City Council and the Council of the City of Shellharbour are each represented by one nominee on the Authority. One member is appointed from each of the Southern Rivers Catchment Management Authority, NSW Department of Primary Industries and the Department of Environment and Climate Change.  Of the five remaining community members, one of the members is appointed by the Minister for Climate Change and the Environment to be the Chairman of the Authority. Appointments are for a two year term.

LIA board members:

Chairman of the LIA and an Illawarra local since
early childhood, Doug Prosser.
 

See story highlighting the LIA board members
under News centre, or click this link:

Minister's Media release announcing new members Sept 2007

NEW - June 2009 - Upcoming call for nominations for new members

Administration and access

The affairs of the Authority are managed by the Executive Officer, subject to and in accordance with the directions of the Authority. The Executive Officer is Mr Brian Dooley an officer appointed by the Director General of the Department of Environment and Climate Change.

Administration is conducted from the Sydney/South Coast Regional Office of the Department of Environment and Climate Change. The office is located within the State Government Office Block at 84 Crown Street, Wollongong NSW 2500 (PO Box 867, Wollongong NSW 2520).

Telephone: (02) 4224 9633
Facsimile:   (02) 4224 9651
Email: pam.outtrim@environment.nsw.gov.au
Business hours: 8.30 am to 5.00 pm (Monday - Friday)

FREEDOM OF INFORMATION

Postal Address
Send requests for information to:
FOI/Privacy Officer
Department of Environment and Climate Change NSW
PO Box A290
Sydney South    1232

Street address
You can also deliver your application by hand to:

FOI/Privacy Officer
Department of Environment and Climate Change NSW
Level 14, 59-61 Goulburn Street
Sydney

Phone queries
FOI/Privacy Officer
tel: (02) 9995 6080 or (02) 9995 6497

Operations

Approximately six (6) formal Authority meetings are held during the year. Minutes of these meetings are recorded under the direction of the Executive Officer and are subsequently ratified by the Authority at their meetings. In addition to formal meetings, special meetings and site inspections are attended by a number of members. The Authority's Chairman on request addresses service club meetings about the Authorities activities. Standard half day State Government fees are paid to members to cover travel and any other out of pocket expenses.
 

Minutes of meetings

Under the LIA Act the authority must keep full and accurate minutes of the proceedings of each meeting of the authority. A summary of the minutes are available to the public, and are distributed to Wollongong and Shellharbour
council libraries.

Below are the latest in electronic form:

 

Annual reports

In accordance with the Annual Reports (Statutory Bodies) Act 1984, as amended by associated regulations, and the Public Finance and Audit Act 1983, the LIA prepares an annual report of its operations each financial year. The financial year of the Lake Illawarra Authority commences each year on April 1.

Hard copies of all annual reports from 1987-88 are available from the LIA. Below are the latest in electronic form:

• Lake Illawarra Annual Report 2001-02
• Lake Illawarra Annual Report 2002-03
• Lake Illawarra Annual Report 2003-04
• Lake Illawarra Annual Report 2004-05
• Lake Illawarra Annual Report 2005-06
• Lake Illawarra Annual Report 2006-07
• Lake Illawarra Annual Report 2007-08
  Lake Illawarra Annual Report 2008-09
   

Areas of the Department of Environment and Climate Change
relevant to the Lake Illawarra Authority

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