New Department to Take Over Stockton Beach Project

BY OLIVIA DILLON

The Department for Regional NSW will take over the Stockton Beach re-nourishment project. 

The Department will keep NSW Public Works on as the project manager, so it may carry out initial dredging and sand placement, as well as investigations into long-term erosion solutions. 

Minster for Regional NSW Tara Moriarty will become the Chair of the Stockton Beach Taskforce as part of the shake-up, and says a lack of clarity about who was in charge of the project was holding it back. 

The Taskforce will meet next month for the first time since June last year. 

Newcastle MP and Minister for the Hunter Tim Crakanthorp, says he looks forward to seeing the works finally go ahead. 

"First of all, we've got the $6.2 million Commonwealth and City of Newcastle project to get 300,000 cubic meters of sand onto the beach; that's a bit of a stop-gap solution."

"Then, we've got the $21 million that I've committed through the Minns Labor government to come on and do the larger offshore dredging and get a whole lot of sand onto that beach," he said. 

Mr Crakanthorp said it's about time there was an update on the progress of the project. 

"The Taskforce hasn't met for some time; I'd been pushing and pushing the former government to meet which they refused to do." 

"Now we're in government, I've directed that we have a meeting so we're getting it organised for June, and we'll start progressing that federal government grant in the initial sense and once that's expended, we'll get on to the larger $21 million in funding to get large volumes of sand onto that beach." 

NSW Labor Promises $21 Million for Stockton Renourishment

BY OLIVIA DILLON

NSW Labor has promised to put $21 million towards mass sand nourishment of Stockton Beach if they win the election next month. 

Shadow Local Government Minister Greg Warren visited the town today, to make the pledge for a long-term solution to the decades-long issue. 

The coastal town has lost more than 10 million cubic metres of sand off it's beach, and it's estimated up to 2.5 million cubic metres is needed to re-nourish and maintain it.

Newcastle MP Tim Crakanthorp said it's about time action was taken. 

"Chris Minns and I promised the people of Stockton we'd present our commitment prior to the election day, and today we deliver on that promise," Mr Crakanthorp said. 

"For too long, this project has been caught up in bureaucracy, but a NSW Labor Government will see the talk stop, and the work begin." 

Labor's commitment would see a memorandum of understanding between them, City of Newcastle, and NSW Public Works, to ensure the government agency holds the dredging license. 

The party plans to seek help from the Port of Newcastle for a long-term solution, and will work closely with the Stockton Beach Taskforce throughout the process.

 

Tim Crakanthorp, said the community has waited long enough already. 

"Getting sand back on Stockton Beach has been a long-time focus of mine. We brought a 10,000-signature petition to Parliament, we've had representations, Notices of Motions, and finally we're here today," he said. 

"I'm really excited that we can say a Labor government will fix this."

"The Stockton community has waited long enough under this Liberal government. Only NSW Labor will get this done." 

$21 Million Needed For Long-Term Stockton Solution

BY OLIVIA DILLON

A funding short-fall is the latest spanner in the works to re-nourish Stockton Beach. 

The Coastal Management Plan estimates at least an extra $21 million is needed before long term sand re-nourishment can occur. 

After announcing on Monday, NSW Public Works would take over the short-term dredging project, Deputy Premier Paul Toole said the body would work with the commonwealth and council to minimise costs. 

While City of Newcastle and The Greens are in support of a break-wall levy to fund the ongoing works, both Labor and the Coalition have ruled it out. 

While council maintains the NSW government should be the one to take key action in relation to the plan, discussions continue over which government agency will take majority responsibility of the project.

City of Newcastle Seeking Community Feedback on Stockton Beach Solutions

BY DAKOTA TAIT

The City of Newcastle is asking the community for feedback on newly proposed erosion management options for the northern parts of Stockton Beach.

Four schemes have been identified in conjunction with sand nourishment as part of the Stockton Coastal Management Program 2021.

The schemes include organising ongoing sand nourishment efforts, building an artificial headland 150 to 200 metres into surf, constructing a submerged, artificial reef to slow sand movement, and a plan to implement machinery to recirculate sand used for beach nourishment. 

Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes says community feedback will help decide the feasibility of each option.

“During this early phase we are gathering feedback from the community on the schemes that have been developed to help prolong mass sand nourishment," Cr Nelmes said.

“We would now like to hear from the wider community about what people like or don’t like about the options we’re considering, and why.”

City of Newcastle will also have to work with local stakeholders such as Hunter Water and NSW Crown Lands, who own much of the land at the northern end of Stockton Beach.

City of Newcastle Director Infrastructure Ken Liddell says any proposed schemes will still have to be put through rigorous technical tests before implementation. 

“For schemes that are considered feasible, we will then carry out a viability assessment, which will take the cost of each scheme into account and allow us to carry out a cost-benefit analysis,” Mr Liddell said.

The community can find out more and offer feedback at newcastle.nsw.gov.au/Stockton, or in person by filling in a paper survey at Stockton Library.

Image credit: newcastle.nsw.gov.au