Newcastle Council and Stockton Community Brace For Big Swells

BY ISABEL EVERETT

Stockton's coastline is expected to take a battering of the next few days, with the Bureau of Meteorology predicting a low-pressure system will hit the Hunter's coast line on Tuesday and Wednesday.

The system is likely to bring heavy rain, strong winds and large waves, with Newcastle Council putting safety measures in place, particularity in areas highly affected by erosion like Stockton. 

Surf and swell conditions are expected to be hazardous for swimming, surfing and rock fishing for all Newcastle beaches and both ocean bathes starting Tuesday until Friday. 

Newcastle Council will close beach access ways in Stockton and current traffic controls in place at Barrie Crescent and Mitchell Street will be reinforced.

Closures at Barrie Crescent, Mitchell Street, Stone Street Corner and Griffiths Road may be implemented depending on weather conditions. 

"The direction of the swell tends to be the defining factor I think in how much erosion we get in Stockton and how much erosion occurs," Save Stockton Beach Member, Simon Jones said. 

"The swell that's forecast for the next couple of days is coming from a South Easterly direction, and basically anything that comes out of the East will cause a significant amount of damage to the more Southern areas of Stockton, which are the areas that are already the most eroded."

"So this event certainly has the capacity to cause some damage."

Mr Jones said previously, big swells have resulted in significant clean up operations along Stockton's Coast. 

"More and more lately we're losing a lot of trees at the back of the beach, which are getting washed down onto the escarpment," Mr Jones said. 

"Also in the past there's been a lot of rock and other debris dumped in or behind the dunes, and we sometimes get contaminated stuff washing out the back of the beach when the erosion cuts into more of the escarpment. "

Newcastle Council is urging the community to follow safety warnings, abide by all road closures, and drive safely in the forecast extreme weather conditions.  

"Coastal erosion can change beach conditions dramatically and quickly. This can lead to sand cliff collapses without warning," Newcastle Council said in a statement. 

Image Source: The Guardian

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.

Government Has Known About Stockton Beach Erosion For Years

BY IAN CROUCH

A representative from the Office of Environment and Heritage has told a meeting of residents they've known about the erosion problems on Stockton Beach since at least 1995, yet nothing's been done to find a permanent solution.

Around 400 residents gathered for last night's information session held by Newcastle Council, with many saying they are fed up with the temporary measures to address the issue, which are not working.

In particular, the use of excavators to move sand from one part of the eroded beach to another part has left residents disheartened.

There are now real fears that the local surf club and a nearby childcare centre could simply disappear into the sea if something isn't done soon.

Beach erosion has become even worse with East Coast Lows blamed for stripping a metre of shoreline away each year.

Some of the permanent solutions being discussed include breakwalls, groynes and offshore reefs.

A major source of concern is that Stockton doesn't appear to meet the criteria to be classified as a coastal erosion hotspot - which would qualify for state government funding.

5000 signatures have been gathered on a petition to "Save Stockton Beach", with 10,000 required to have the issue debated in state parliament in the hope of pressuring the government to act. Residents and Newcastle Council are now working together to present a business case to get funding from Berejiklian government .

Fears Stockton Childcare Centre Could Disappear Into The Sea. Picture:theherald.com.au