BY DAKOTA TAIT
The Federal Government has announced $4.7 million dollars in funding to begin sand nourishment on Stockton Beach.
The cash will fund the first deliveries of sand across the shoreline, as well as feasibility studies to identify additional sand sources and environmental approvals to access offshore deposits.
Newcastle MP Sharon Claydon says it's a major step forward for Stockton.
"This is an important catalyst project," she said. "It is phase one of a long-term plan to restore sand back to this beach."
"And to restore hope to the Stockton community that they won't continuously face ongoing erosion of this precious coastline, and the loss of vital community assets."
It's one of 34 projects being funded in the national Coastal and Estuarine Risk Mitigation Program.
The State Government has welcomed the spend, saying it's supporting plans to find 300,000 cubic metres of sand to nourish the shore in the short-term.
Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes says it will complement council works, such as a new buried seawall.
"There has been so much sand loss here, and all the studies have been done for so many decades," she said. "We need 2.4 million cubic metres."
"There is a missing element, and we do hope that in due course, the state will commit to not only the funding under the [Coastal Management Plan] to get the mass sand, but to do the environmental investigations and to get the licenses."
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| Newcastle MP Sharon Claydon and Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes. |
