Lake Macquarie Boat Ramp Reconstruction Despite Erosion Threats

BY LAUREN KEMPE

Despite advice from the state government to rebuild Lake Macquarie's Pelican ramp elsewhere, Lake Macquarie council has alternatively decided to rebuild it in its present location.

Stabilisation reconstruction works will commence around early next year, provided councillors endorse the $1.2 million budgeted plan.

The ramp is designed to last 25 years, and the protective alcove design with surrounding rock structures acting as a buffer are anticipated to withstand any future problems of erosion.

The Mokoro Street ramp has been closed since May 2015, and there has been significant community push for reconstruction ever since.

Lake Macquarie Mayor, Kay Fraser says the community was very strong in maintaining the boat ramp's location, and the plan to move it more inland will alleviate erosion problems going forward.

"We had to look at how the engineering would stack up, but I think we now have a really good option where we can go more inland.

"[The ramp] will be more protected now, so we're looking at having rock retaining walls around a meter high. It will be a completely different look than we've had before."

Mayor Fraser is confident Lake Macquarie council will proceed with the notion within months.

"We have to have it approved by council, which will happen this month, hopefully. The community's overjoyed, they've been waiting since 2015 and they've been really patient. I think it's a really great outcome for the community and the council."

Image Credit: http://www.lakesmail.com.au/story/3542602/boat-ramp-upgrades-to-boost-lake-safety/

Erosion solution for Stockton Beach

BY JARROD MELMETH

Lord Mayor of Newcastle Nuatali Nelmes says she believes an underground breakwall could be the solution to the erosion problem on Stockton Beach and will also provide the foundation for the future extension of Bathers Way, which she hopes will continue onto Stockton.

Cr Nelmes will bring forward a mayoral minute at tonights meeting where she will seek the support of engineers to investigate the viability of constructing a rock wall to protect the beachfront. The rock wall if built, will consist of 500 meters of boulders, from the southern end of the beach to meet the existing wall at the northern end.

The beachfront was severely damaged earlier this month during an east coast low which resulted in the worst erosion at Stockton Beach in living memory.

Cr Nelmes said the construction of a rock wall with the right underpinnings will also allow future extension of the Bathers Way walk.

"By ensuring our assets are properly protected we will have the opportunity to extend the bathers walk that now goes from Mereweather through to Nobbys. I would like to see it cross over at the ferry and come all the way around the Stockton foreshore."

Council in the past have commissioned several reports on preventing erosion around the Stockton Beach area. A lot of the outcomes were over $30 million and were not implemented.

Cr Nelmes is looking for a more cost effective solution that can actually be implemented.

Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes at Stockton Beach. Photo courtesy of The Newcastle Herald