Worimi Local Aboriginal Land Council will Investigate Elders Concerns over Stockton Cabin Relocation

BY ISABEL EVERETT

The Worimi Local Aboriginal Land Council will investigate a Worimi elders concern, Newcastle City Council's relocation of 16 cabins from the Stockton Caravan Park  has resulted in "cultural destruction" of the land.

The cabins were moved to an area near Stockton Pool, with reports a local resident is calling for an Interim Protection Order for the land, over concerns damage has been done to culturally significant sites without proper consultation.

The Worimi Local Aboriginal Land Council says they will investigate the locals concerns, however their organisation did not raise the issue.

"I wasn't aware of the re-location of the cabin's to that area. The Worimi Local Aboriginal Land council did not lodge, initiate or instigate the complaint over the re-location," CEO of the Council, Andrew Smith said.

"Having said that, as an organisation we have a statutory responsibility to protect cultural heritage. Now that the complaint has been lodged, similar to Newcastle City Council and National Parks, we will have a look at what the concerns are, and what are the non compliance's in relation to the relocation of the cabins."

The Worimi Local Aboriginal Land Council says despite possible issues with the re-location, they understand Newcastle City Council's decision to make the move.

"I understand why Council has done it, I get that the Stockton Community have a massive battle in front of them with the beach erosion. I think they are responding the best way they can," Mr Smith said.

"I guess I would have hoped the Council would have undertaken due diligence in relation to the re-location. What's done is done, we just need to make sure we can justify the outcomes and make sure we're not compromising or destroying Aboriginal Heritage."

The Worimi Local Aboriginal Land Council says they will meet with Newcastle City Council, and The National Parks and Wildlife Service to discuss the elder's concerns.

"There'll be an onsite meeting to have a look at the location to see if there were spoils of any earth during the moving activity and to see if there's been any disturbance to Aboriginal sites," Mr Smith said.

"And as a result of that a discussion and negotiations will take place, but until we get that information there really isn't any clear position in relation to what the consequences will be."

Mr Smith says he is concerned the community may be under the impression the organisation as a whole made the complaint, rather then a single member.

"The local resident has Worimi Ancestry and as a result people then associate the Worimi Local Aboriginal Land Council and then the Worimi Community as a whole, and then we all become targeted by social media trolling which is unfortunate."

"We are not the instigators of the complaint, but I fear the wave of repercussions has commenced and it's likely now we are going to start receiving abusive phone calls, and people will start smashing bottles in our drive ways and all sorts of ridiculous stuff."

                                              Relocated Cabins Image Credit: Newcastle Herald

Port of Newcastle Included in Stockton Erosion Discussion

BY KAYNE STEPHENS

The Port of Newcastle is being asked to bring more to the table in addressing beach erosion at Stockton.

The Port has been included in calls from some residents for a joint-effort approach addressing the causes of Stockton beach erosion as the replenishment effort continues.

Stage Two of Newcastle Council's beach nourishment project is set to be completed this year with most of the sand from Stage One having now settled away from the beach.

Experts say there isn't cause for concern after most of the 5,500 tonnes of sand replaced at Stockton beach washed out to sea in the space of a month.

The first stage of Newcastle Council's beach nourishment project was completed in December, but almost all of the sand has now moved away from the beach itself.

Earth Sciences Conjoint Professor with the University of Newcastle, Doctor Ron Boyd, says although it appears the sand has been lost, it's actually been redistributed.

He says this redistribution will help combat the beach erosion crisis.

"It's actually very good to have a wide surf zone, because the waves then break further from the shore, and they dissipate their energy before they get right up close to the shore," he said.

"If you don't have any new shore sand, then the waves break very close to the beach and dune lines and then they can exacerbate further erosion."

A spokesperson from Newcastle Council says the movement of sand was expected, and more sand will be added this year.

"A second stage involving placement of sand north of the Lexie’s Café accessway, adjacent to the Surf Club, is expected to be undertaken in 2020 subject to further approvals," the Newcastle Council Spokesperson said.

The Port of Newcastle this week became the first in Australia to be certified by EcoPorts for its environmental management, but is facing some criticism over its level of involvement in addressing the causes of beach erosion.

Dr Boyd says the Port's role in causing beach erosion isn't being addressed enough.

"The amount of money that's required to solve the beach erosion problem at Stockton that arise from the port infrastructure is a real drop in the ocean compared to the billions of dollars each year that is made through the port. So I really think that there should be a much more active role"

But, a Port of Newcastle spokesperson says it's been working cooperatively with Council and the State Government to find a solution to the erosion issues, and provides around 25,000 cubic-metres of sand dredged from the shipping channel entrance to Stockton annually.

"While Stockton Beach is outside the port lease, Port of Newcastle has been following the erosion issue and recognises it as a matter of concern for the Stockton community as well as the broader community," the spokesperson said.

The spokesperson also says the port contributes technical knowledge to the NSW Government's efforts to address the erosion.

"Port of Newcastle shares the community’s interest in finding an appropriate solution.

"To that end, Port of Newcastle has been working cooperatively with the NSW Office of Environment and Heritage and the City of Newcastle – the government agencies that have responsibility and oversight for Stockton Beach – since the port lease commenced in 2014," the spokesperson said.

President of Stockton's Northside Boardriders Club, Simon Jones, says sand dumps are only a temporary fix and a thorough look at the causes is needed.

He suggests a stronger joint effort between the Port of Newcastle, the State Government, and Newcastle Council is needed to address erosion long term.

"I think if we're going to get a resolution, that's certainly the pathway we need to take," he said.

Mr Jones says while the infrastructure is government-owned, there is concern over the impact of the operations of the port on Stockton sands. But he says all the stakeholders need to make sure the issue is addressed correctly.

"I know it's quite frustrating to a lot of people to see more meetings and more studies, and think, 'Why isn't anybody doing anything now?'. But if we want to get something done and we want it to work, I think it needs to be done the first time and that does, I guess, take time," Mr Jones said.

The Port of Newcastle spokesperson says it already actively contributes to address the issue.

"While Port of Newcastle is not a government agency, we are committed to continuing to share our technical knowledge.

"It is important to note that the breakwaters are a NSW Government asset with construction dating back to the late 1800s. Similarly, the construction of Macquarie Pier to link Nobbys to the mainland dates back to the early 1800s," the spokesperson said.

The Port of Newcastle says it is actively involved in addressing the erosion of Stockton Beach. Image: Port of Newcastle

Stockton Residents Taking Matters Into Their Own Hands

BY TYLER FARDELL


As the erosion on Stockton beach continues to threaten businesses and homes, frustrated residents say they will take the fight to the state government.

A GoFundMe page has been set up by Stockton resident Lucas Gresham, with the money raised going towards a community class action.

It comes after wild weather this week caused further erosion to the beach with the Stockton caravan park and popular beach cafe 'Lexie's on the beach' dangerously close to collapsing.

Businesses in Stockton are already feeling the effects of erosion with a childcare centre being forced to close this month as the site was no longer safe.

Newcastle city council undertook an emergency sand-bagging operation last week but it only serves as a temporary solution with no plan in place for the long term protection.

Lucas Gresham says the GoFundMe will get the matter brought before the Environmental Defenders Office, which is a community legal centre specialising in public interest environmental law.

The GoFundMe has raised almost $4500 in less than 24 hours.

You can donate to the cause here.

Source; Tracks Magazine

Federal Government Asked to Step In At Stockton

BY GEMMA FERGUSON

Member for Newcastle Sharon Claydon called on the Federal Government in Parliament, urging them to take action against the coastal erosion in Stockton.

Acknowledging that the issue is primarily a State Government responsibility, Sharon encouraged the Federal Government to "also do it share" given the urgency of the issue.

"This should be a wake up call for all levels of Government. We just can't stand by and let communities like Stockton slip away into the sea," she said.

Sharon said brought up the Stockton's Early Learning Centre, which sits on Barrie Crescent Reserve alongside the beach. The people of Stockton, who have been facing the impact of coastal erosion for years, have now had their only childcare facility shut down due to safety concerns.

"This has been devastating news of course, for all of the affected families - and, indeed, the entire community. While some temporary care solutions have been put in place, the long-term outlook looks bleak for families wanting to have their children cared for where they live. Madam Deputy Speaker, I hold grave fears that this is just the beginning," she said.

With residents anxious for their homes, public land and further assets, groups like Stockton Community Action Group have formed to fight the issue - but Claydon believes additional Government support is needed.

"Today, I call on the Morrison Government to stop shrinking its responsibilities to coastal communities like Stockton and to act urgently on coastal erosion. It's time. We are a massive island nation. We need a national plan," she concluded.

Image credit: Newcastle Herald.