Mass sand nourishment is set to form a part of this year’s Stockton Coastal Management Plan (CMP).
The 2020 CMP was certified by the NSW Government in August which considered council-managed land from the Northern Harbour Breakwall to Meredith Street, providing a long-term strategy.
And, earlier this month, Deputy Premier John Barilaro announced the state government had approved an exploration licence to identify suitable offshore sand for renourishment.
The work off the coast of Newcastle is geared up to occur in the coming weeks as part of a future plan to permit offshore dredging to secure sand for Stockton Beach.
City of Newcastle facilitated a meeting with the Stockton Community Liaison Group (SCLG) and relevant northern landholders Hunter Water Corporation, Defence Housing, Family and Community Services, and Crown Lands yesterday (Thursday 25 February) to discuss its options.
SCLG Chair Barbara Whitcher said it was important for everyone to work together to protect the area’s coastline.
“The SCLG, facilitated by council, is now working with other landowners and stakeholders through a rigorous process to ensure the northern section of Stockton has a viable and acceptable long-term plan to manage coastal hazards,” she explained.
“We believe it’s important to work with all stakeholders to achieve a solution that protects Stockton Bight from predicted coastal hazards.”
Moving forward, the Coastal Management Act 2016 requires the northern landholders to agree to the management options for Stockton.
“The collaboration between City of Newcastle staff, the Stockton Community Liaison Group, agency stakeholders and the NSW Government was essential during the preparation of the original CMP,” Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said.
“Any proposed management options for the Stockton CMP 2021 should complement the current goal of mass sand nourishment and be assessed in terms of their economic and technical feasibility.”
City of Newcastle has already begun implementing the 2020 CMP, including kyowa rock bags as a temporary protection structure at the Barrie Crescent section of Stockton Beach.
Other maintenance and protection work is also ongoing to help maintain access to the beach and manage severe weather events.
