Plans Proposed for Relocation of Pelican Boat Ramp

BY GEORGIA LUPTON

Plans have been proposed for the relocation of the Pelican boat ramp.

The Department of Primary Industries - Crown Lands has released a draft recommendation to Lake Macquarie City Council which would see the ramp moved 170 metres South of its current location.

The ramp has suffered much damage over the last 2 years and has been closed for around 12 months.

It was first impacted by the April storms in 2015 and was further damaged by the collapse of restaurant, Milano's on the Lake in February last year.

The proposal was made after investigations were conducted into the erosion of Pelican foreshore and sand movements in Swansea Channel.

Construction is expected to commence mid 2017.

Lake Macquarie City Council are encouraging residents to have their say on the proposal on their website or at a pop-up information stall on the 21st of January.

Image Courtesy: lakemac.com.au

Tenth Day of Shark Sightings Closes Blacksmiths Beach

BY GEORGIA LUPTON

A spate of shark sightings along the coast of Lake Macquarie has prompted the closure of ones of its beaches.

Blacksmiths Beach was closed for an hour yesterday after a 3 metre bull shark was sighted near the beach by a Department of Primary Industries helicopter.

An alarm was sounded before lifeguards conducted a jet ski search, put out signs and cleared swimmers from the water.

The shark moved away from the beach, which reopened around 10:40am.

At least one shark has been sighted between Redhead Beach and Blacksmiths Point every day for the last 10 days.

Two sharks were seen off Blacksmiths Beach on Tuesday.

Redhead Beach was closed on Tuesday, Friday and Saturday following great white shark sightings.