Work crews are expected to descend upon North Stockton beach this week to remove buried waste that threatened to create a pollution hazard due to coastal erosion.

About 3,500 cubic metres of waste will be taken away near Corroba Oval across an area of about 30 metres by 15 metres.

Consultations have also occurred with City of Newcastle and the Worimi and Karuah Local Aboriginal Land Councils.

“This work will protect North Stockton’s coastline after erosion threatened to expose buried waste from a former City of Newcastle landfill site,” NSW Minister for Water, Property and Housing Melinda Pavey said.

“Our priority is to ensure the environment and sea life are protected and that the area can be safely rehabilitated for future community use.”

The excavation work follows installation of a temporary sandbag seawall in September to secure the site while planning got underway to remove the waste.

Barrier fencing has been erected and members of the public advised not to enter the area while work is underway.

“Excavators will dig out the waste, which will be tested and then taken away to Summerhill Waste Management Centre,” Mrs Pavey said.

“Once the site is assessed as cleared it will be backfilled with sand and restored to its natural state.”

The work is being undertaken by the Department of Planning, Industry and Environment – Crown Lands and the Soil Conservation Service with support from Hunter Water and the Environment Protection Authority (EPA).

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