Port Macquarie Hastings Council (PMHC) resolved on 20 May 2020 to write to the Minister for Water, Property and Housing the Honourable Melinda Pavey MP to confirm the Council’s ongoing physical responsibilities with respect to the management of the Crown owned 'Lake Cathie waterbody'.

PMHC wanted confirmation that their responsibilities where strictly limited to flood mitigation, stormwater drainage and community protection only.

Any actions outside of this scope (including public health issues and complaints about water quality, odour, colour, mosquitoes, fish kills, fish health, ecology of the waterway, salinity, acid sulphate soils, pollution, water safety and the like) will be directed to the NSW Department of Planning, Industry and Environment - Crown Lands as the owner of the waterbody.

Lake Cathie (pronounced 'cat-eye') is just 12 kilometres south of Port Macquarie.

Lake Cathie's large saltwater lake is the second largest estuarine salt march area in NSW.

Periodically opened to the sea, the warm shallow waters are ideal for young children and there are lots of picnic tables and barbecues around the shore.

Venture up to the northern headland where a fantastic forest walk has been established, with a viewing platform which offers fabulous views across the lake and out to the ocean.