Travis Read says Oyster Bay once had sandy beaches, which were enjoyed by families, fishermen, and tourists. Picture by Murray Trembath

Sutherland Shire Council has adopted a strategy to reduce sediment flowing into silted-up Oyster Bay, but won't put money into dredging.

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The council maintains dredging is a state government responsibility, may produce only short-term benefits and is not "a financially sustainable or scalable solution for Council given the magnitude of costs, regulatory complexity and ongoing maintenance requirements".

"In contrast, the (WMP) Waterway Management Plan identifies practical, deliverable and cost-effective actions that address the root causes of waterway degradation and align with Council's operational responsibilities and funding capacity," a staff report said.

ROBCCA members Travis Read (left), Chrus Huon and Alfred Croucher on the site of one of two sailing clubs which used to operate in Oyster Bay. Picture by Murray Trembath

The council will "advocate to the state government regarding dredging responsibilities and funding".

The council's stance has disappointed the community group representing residents in suburbs around the bay, which is fighting for the waterway to be restored to the state it was in before development, when there were sandy beaches and two sailing clubs.

Revive Oyster Bay and Catchment Community Association (ROBCCA) president Travis Read said the waterway would be entirely mudflats within 15 years if decisive action was not taken.

Oyster Bay in 1985. Picture supplied

Mr Read welcomed the proposed source-control measures, but said they were "grossly insufficient without dredging".

"The council is not proposing to do anything that makes any material difference, even though the problem comes from mismanagement, mainly from the council, originally," he said.

Mr Read said source control measures would reduce new sediment by about 97 cubic metres per year, or just five per cent.

"That merely extends the bay's life from 15 years to 15 years and 9 months," he said.

Mr Read said the council should be prepared to join with the state government in co-funding dredging.

Other council did this successfully, he said.

Oyster Bay, a sea of mud, in February 2026. Picture G. Peck

The group is also very critical of the cost estimates - upwards of $20 million - in the council's Dredging Management Plan (DMP).

Mr Read said the state government had allocated $16 million for dredging at notoriously difficult sites (Swansea, Ettalong, Coffs Harbour, Myall River), with typical costs of $40-$80 per cubic metre.

Experienced dredging contractors had advised the group 80-90,000 cubic metres of spoil could be removed from Oyster Bay for $8-12 million using efficiency techniques, he said.

The group wants the DMP reviewed and quotes sought.

Mr Read said the residents group would continue its campaign.

"Support for restoration of Oyster Bay is strong with 2500 residents signing our petition to state parliament and 95 per cent community support," he said.

"We are finding the groundswell of community support is like a snowball rolling down a hill growing bigger the more people we speak to

"We hope to have 10,000 signatures by September, so the matter can be debated before state parliament",

Mr Read said issues of concern with the present state of the bay included:

• Danger to children: Shallow, silting areas create hazards for small boats and youngsters playing near the water.
• Environmental and recreational loss: thick quicksand like mud is overtaking once-sandy beaches once enjoyed by families, fishermen, and tourists.