Coastal Plan Recommends Mass Offshore Dredging For Stockton Beach Erosion

BY IAN CROUCH

A Coastal Management Plan for Stockton recommends spending $19 million over 5 years to address the erosion crisis.

Newcastle Council last night voted to put the plan on public exhibition from today.

It recommends spending $10.5 million on building new sea walls and extending and maintaining the existing two rock walls.

If this is done then a further $4.5 million would be spent on putting 50,000 cubic metres of sand on the beach from proposed offshore dredging.

The plan says $21 million dollars would be needed for a mass offshore dredging program and a further $12 million needed for maintenance every decade, with funding for this expected to come from the state government.

Stockton Beach Plan Calls For Mass Sand Dredging

Council Assures Covid-19 Pandemic Won't Postpone Management of Stockton Erosion

BY ISABEL EVERETT

Newcastle Council's Stockton Coastal Management Program (CMP) team has been recognized as essential and will work remotely through any Government-directed lockdown in response to COVID-19 in order to meet the Local Government Minister’s shortened deadline of 30 June 2020.

Despite the challenges brought by COVID-19, Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes has met with the Stockton Community Liaison Group via Zoom.

“With projects on hold or delayed across the state there had been some concern from the Stockton community about how COVID-19 would affect our ability to deliver a CMP by the shortened deadline,” the Lord Mayor said.

“We reiterated today that despite the enormous challenges we’re facing as a community, Stockton remains a key priority for City of Newcastle. The team delivering our CMP will continue to work as an essential service should the Federal or State Government direct the community into lockdown.”

The Lord Mayor said Stockton’s CMP was expected to focus primarily on sand nourishment along with the protection of public and private assets.

“The message is clear from the Stockton community. Return a sandy beach that locals and visitors can enjoy, and manage our natural coastal environment in a way that reduces risk and keeps the community’s way of life."

“Our Stockton team is reviewing all previous options however, there’s really only one way to deliver on this call from the community and that’s to complete a CMP focused primarily on beach amenity and reducing risk, that will meet the demands of the State Government’s certification requirements."

“We will be looking for community feedback in mid-May during the public exhibition period.”

The draft Stockton CMP will be placed on 28-day Public Exhibition from Wednesday 13th May,  providing the community an opportunity to have their say on the long-term plan to manage coastal erosion.

Due to restrictions on public gatherings caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, Newcastle Council will continue to engage online and via the post /mail.

Funds Rolling In for Stockton Beach

BY LAUREN FREEMANTLE

Funding is now rolling in for the Stockton Beach erosion crisis.

In a 50:50 split, the state government and Newcastle City Council will contribute almost $148,000 each to a total of $295,000 for the management of local coastline.

The funding announcement comes after Council's Coastal Zone Management Plan was approved last week.

The plan's approval means Council is also eligible to apply for further funding from the government's $83.6 million Coastal and Estuary Grant program.

Parliamentary Secretary for the Hunter, Scot MacDonald, says it will be money well-spent.

"That will assist Newcastle City Council to now apply for significant funding out of the state government's coastal zone management fund, which will help them do some of the significant works they're considering around Stockton and across their LGA's," Scot MacDonald said.

"So, a good breakthrough."

Image: The Herald

Stockton Coastal Management Plan Approved

BY IAN CROUCH AND MADELAINE MCNEILL

It's hoped a solution to the erosion crisis on Stockton Beach will soon be found after the state government gave the green light to Newcastle Council's management plan for the area.

The approval by the Office of Environment and Heritage clears the way for Council to apply for state funding to address the issue.

Council Ceo Jeremy Bath says the next step will be to ensure government, council, and Stockton residents are on the same page about how to proceed.

"Unfortunately there's still another few steps that have to be undertaken," he explained, "before we can actually get to a long-term solution, but none of it can happen without an approved coastal management plan, which of course we now have."

It comes after Newcastle MP Tim Crakanthorp debated the erosion crisis at state parliament yesterday, accusing the government of "burying its head in the sand" on the issue.

He made a Labor election promise to commit $270,000 to kickstart the Coastal Management Program, but it now looks as though much more money could be on the table.

Jeremy Bath says he's confident the Office of Environment and Heritage will work with Council to secure the necessary funding.

"Based on the really positive relationship Council's been able to form with the OEH over the last few months, I'm quietly confident that in the very near future the NSW Government will release funds..." 

Barbara Whitcher from the Stockton Community Liaison Group has also welcomed the news.

"Now we keenly anticipate prompt action to further progress a solution to the serious erosion of Stockton Beach," she said.

The Group has identified sand replenishment as the preferred option for managing coastal erosion.

It's hoped such a move will restore the beach to be wide enough for people to enjoy while preventing further threats to property.

Other key management actions identified in the plan include:

* Demolition of the former North Stockton Surf Life Saving Club once the lease at the early learning centre expiries.

* Coastal protection works at the former Fullerton Street landfill site by Hunter Water.

* Design and repair of the northern end of the Mitchell Street seawall and ongoing maintenance.

* Continued placement of dredged sand from Hunter River off Stockton Beach by the Port of Newcastle.

* Continued maintenance of dune systems and beach scraping activities.

Coastal Erosion Threatens The Early Learning Centre Adjacent To Stockton Beach Picture: therherald.com.au