Shoalhaven City Council is finalising its draft coastal management plan which will outline the type of development permitted in areas likely to be effected by rising sea levels.

The draft plan is expected to go before council next month before being placed on public exhibition for comment early next year.

New maps, showing local areas that could be worst effected by rising sea levels based on the latest predictions released by the State Government, are complete and will soon be available on council’s website.

Council’s strategic planning and infrastructure manager Ernie Royston said the maps define the type of development, if any, that is permitted in low lying coastal areas such as Mollymook.

He said three zones have been identified by the NSW Department of Environment and Climate Change and council is now working on developing guidelines for each of those precincts.

Closest to the ocean, Precinct One is expected to be effected by rising seas by 2025 and all future development looks set to be prohibited in that area.

Precinct Two highlights the zone to be effected by rising seas by the year 2050 and Precinct Three indicates the properties that could be inundated by 2100.

A number of beaches within the Shoalhaven fall into Precinct One, including parts of Mollymook Beach, Narrawallee Beach and Collers Beach.

A report prepared for council indicates that properties along Mitchell Parade will be the worst effected, with two homes closest to Blackwater Creek under immediate threat from storm erosion.

The Mollymook Surf Club and Golf Club are also at risk, despite some protection from man-made sea walls.

By 2025, up to 12 homes and eight lots along Mitchell Parade, as well as two homes in Golf Avenue and a number of roads could be threatened by rising seas and storm activity.

Further homes in Mitchell Parade will be under threat by 2100 as well as two properties in Golf Avenue and council sewerage infrastructure.