Stockton Beach residents would have witnessed a “rainbow” like no other when they looked out of their windows on Monday morning.
A 75-metre dredging vessel started extracting 100,000 cubic metres of sand from Newcastle Harbour on 16 October as part of a $6.2 million effort to remediate the coastline.
The two-to-three-week project is the start of addressing decades of erosion at the popular location.
The dredger takes the sand from the harbour and then, at the southern end of Stockton Beach, shoots it into the surf zone up to 10 times per day.
“This represents a significant milestone for the Stockton community and City of Newcastle (CN),” Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said.
“From council’s development of the state’s first certified Coastal Management Program to the NSW Government’s commitment to delivering $21 million for mass sand nourishment, our work to protect the coastline has been a collaborative effort between the local community and three levels of government.”
A 200m exclusion zone will be in place around the dredger while it is working, and sections of the beach might be closed intermittently when sand is being placed.
Information about exclusion zones is available, via temporary signage at the beach and on the City of Newcastle website.
Community members are invited to a drop-in session at the Stockton Surf Life Saving Club between 2pm and 7pm on Tuesday 24 October to learn more about the venture.
The initial supply of sand onto the beach is funded by a $4.7 million Australian Government grant and a $1.5 million contribution from CN.
Learnings from this first stage of the sand nourishment project will feed into the blueprint for the longer-term remediation.
That will then inform how the NSW Government’s additional $21 million commitment will be delivered.
“When I took over as the Stockton Beach Taskforce Chair three months ago, it was immediately apparent that sand erosion at Stockton Beach had been thrown in the too-hard basket for too long,” Minister for Regional NSW Tara Moriarty said.
“Despite passionate advocacy, the Stockton community has watched this beautiful beach washing away for years with no real action.
“With the clock ticking on Stockton Beach, it is high time someone delivered some meaningful solutions for the residents and this government acted decisively and delivered.
“While this sand is being placed on the beach, we are finalising the blueprint that will set out the next steps for a long-term solution.
“I am looking forward to presenting that plan to the Stockton Beach Taskforce in December.”
Minister for the Hunter Yasmin Catley echoed those sentiments.
“Every time there is a significant weather event with rough and turbulent seas in the Hunter, the people of Stockton collectively hold their breath, wondering what they may lose next,” she said.
“The community has already lost so much of its precious coastline.
“So, it is important we don’t let them lose any more.
“After years of erosion and significant sand loss along this much-loved coastline, I am thrilled that the NSW Government is delivering for the Stockton community.
“I’d also like to thank the Stockton Beach Taskforce and the Port of Newcastle for their continued support and efforts to achieve this goal.”
Newcastle MP and Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives Sharon Claydon admitted the first stage of work was an important step towards getting sand back on Stockton.
“The Australian Government has provided $4.7 million to get this early work underway and assist the NSW Government with planning to progress longer-term solutions,” she said.
“It is remarkable to see what can be achieved for our community when all three levels of government work together.”
For more news stroies:
- Mayors welcome bus safety recommendations after Hunter tragedy
- New $45 million Hunter Valley Hydrogen Hub to hit Kooragang
- Notorious intersection upgrade passes major milestone
Get all the latest Newcastle news, sport, real estate, entertainment, lifestyle and more delivered straight to your inbox with the Newcastle Weekly Daily Newsletter. Sign up here.
