The NSW Government has backed moves by the Federal Government to support our initiative to provide 300,000 cubic metres of sand to help address ongoing coastal erosion at Stockton Beach.
Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional NSW Paul Toole said the NSW Government’s work to investigate solutions for both immediate and long-term sand sources had laid the foundations for this latest support to the City of Newcastle and the people of Stockton.
“The project put forward by the NSW Government provides a pathway to source and deliver 300,000 cubic metres of sand – the equivalent of about 120 Olympic-sized swimming pools – to prevent buffering against future storms, while further work to locate additional sand sources for longer term restoration is undertaken,” Mr Toole said.
“Today’s announcement of $4.8 million in funding is a great win for the local community, the Stockton Beach Taskforce and the NSW Government, which has worked tirelessly to investigate, develop and design this project.”
To date, the NSW Government has:
Provided $1.5 million to City of Newcastle Council through the Coastal and Estuary Grants program, for projects with short, medium and long-term benefits including:
Funded an additional $1 million to complete a detailed study to assess the viability of a sand source offshore at Stockton Beach – with the report provided to City of Newcastle Council
Developed and lodged an application with the City of Newcastle Council for Commonwealth funding for sand nourishment and feasibility and approvals processes for the offshore and potential sand sources in the North Arm of the Hunter River
Established the Stockton Beach Taskforce to address the ongoing issue of coastal erosion – two meetings have been held in 2022 and a plan of action is underway