More than 200 people have attended a public meeting  to discuss options for managing the build up of sedimentation and lack of flow in the lower reaches of the Shoalhaven River.

The meeting has agreed to support plans by the Shoalhaven Heads Estuary Taskforce to lobby the state government and Shoalhaven Council for immediate action on finding solutions to improve the health of the waterway.

It is generally accepted the development of a permanent opening is not about to happen in the short to medium term, because of the cost, which would run into tens of millions of dollars.

However there is a push to lower the level of the " dry notch " at the closed off entrance, which would make it easier for the river to open during a moderate flood event, like the one earlier in the year.

Taskforce member Jessica Zealand says if locals do not take a stand, council will continue to do nothing about it