Breakthrough at Stockton

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Stockton Beach has been classified among the state’s coastal erosion hotspots in a move that opens the door to more funding for emergency works.

NSW Minister for Local Government Shelley Hancock and Minister for the Environment Matt Kean made the announcement at Stockton on Monday afternoon.

Newcastle council is now able to apply for state government grants of up to $1.5 million, which it will then need to match.

Newcastle state MP Tim Crakanthorp and Shadow Minister for Local Government Greg Warren released a joint statement, praising the government’s decision.

“Labor welcomes the long overdue listing of Stockton as a coastal erosion hotspot … Mr Crakanthorp has been advocating for this since 2017,” it read.

“Mr Crakanthorp has also welcomed the ministers’ commitment that ‘everything is on the table’ and to discussing offshore dredging of sand for beach nourishment purposes with the deputy premier [John Barilaro], who has carriage of this matter.”

Meanwhile, Newcastle council warned students about the dangers of sand cliffs due to the erosion at the beach.

With the school holidays underway, people have been urged not to stand too close to the top or bottom of sand cliffs because of their potential for collapse under zero weight loads and without warning.

Council staff have marked the danger area at Barrie Crescent to help alert locals of the danger.

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