The State Government says it wants to hear from residents on a Review of Environmental Factors for approving dredging works to maintain reliable access through the channel, following the third stage of maintenance dredging completed earlier this year.
Progress is also being made on the $10 million Dredge and Sand Transfer System, which will use excess sand from the channel to deal with erosion at Blacksmiths Beach.
Swansea MP Yasmin Catley says once the plan’s put into action, it will clear up issues with access.
“It will make sure that as we see markers that indicate that there’s [sand banking up], Maritime will be able to go in there and do the dredging programs without us having to wait sometimes more than 12 months for approvals,” she said.
“The construction of the Sand Transfer System will begin in March and it will conclude in May and that’s transferring the dredged sand onto Blacksmiths Beach, just up near the golf course. This will really address the issues that we have over there of severe coastal erosion,” she said.
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| Credit / Lake Macquarie Council |
