The Saltwater Creek and Lagoon estuary is a small Intermittently Closed and Open Lake or Lagoon (ICOLL), situated adjacent to South West Rocks, on the mid-north coast of NSW – within the Kempsey Shire LGA and within the bounds of the Hat Head and Arakoon National Parks.

The estuary is a valuable recreational and social asset for the local community, as well as for the multitude of regional tourist that visit South West Rocks every year.  Virtually all of the estuary is designated as state-significant coastal wetlands, and a significant biodiversity is present including notable species of birds, fish, reptiles and mammals.

However, the estuary is facing increases pressure from urban development within its catchment. The South West Rocks area is projected to experience a 40% increase in population over the next 15 years, and a series of major developments are planned for the study area catchment during this period. Catchment runoff and urban stormwater discharge are already a major source of water quality issues across the estuary, which as an ICOLL comprises a sensitive receiving system.