Close to 130,000 cubic metres of sand has been now delivered to Stockton Beach, in the first phase of a $6.3 million project to remediate the heavily-eroded coastline.
The project is being administered by the NSW Government, and jointly funded by the Albanese Government’s 2022-23 Coastal and Estuarine Risk Mitigation Program, and the City of Newcastle.
Stage one of work to renourish Stockton Beach is now complete, with the volume of suitable sand dredged and placed in the past three weeks exceeding the initial 100,000m3 target, delivering an additional 30,000 cubic metres of sand.
During the works, it became evident that more sand had accumulated in the approved dredging area in Newcastle Harbour. The Trud R, the dredging vessel that collected and sprayed the sand onto Stockton Beach, was able to dredge this additional sand.
Investigations into sourcing further sand for Stockton Beach continue.
The NSW Government has steered this project while gathering key insights for a blueprint to help the Department of Planning and Environment map out the next steps for Stockton.
The Blueprint for Stockton, led by the Department of Planning & Environment, will be presented at the next Taskforce meeting in December as the NSW Government works to deliver on its $21 million promise to find long term solutions for coastal erosion at Stockton.
Attributed to Federal Minister for Emergency Management Murray Watt:
“The Albanese Government is pleased to work with the local Council to fund such an important project for the region.
The NSW Government has made great progress with the sand renourishment project.
The Federal Government’s Coastal and Estuarine Risk Mitigation Program recognises the need for coastal communities to have better resilience against the natural hazard induced events that we know will be coming in more frequency and more severity.”
Attributed to Minister for Regional NSW Tara Moriarty:
“We anticipated we would get at least 100,000 cubic metres of sand onto Stockton Beach in this initial phase of work, but I am delighted to share that we have exceeded those expectations to deliver even more.
I know how important the beach is to the community, and how devastating it has been for them to see it washed away bit by bit, year after year.
This work is just the beginning, and what we have learned from this process will inform our Government’s commitment to Stockton and future investigations into longer-term solutions.”
Attributed to Minister for the Hunter Yasmin Catley:
“The people of Stockton have fought a long, hard battle to get this sand back on their beach and I am so proud the Minns Government has stepped in to offer this support swiftly.
Getting 130,000 cubic metres of sand onto Stockton is an incredible result for Stockton and the wider Hunter community, and while there is still more work to be done, we are on our way and moving in the right direction.”
Attributed to Federal Member for Newcastle Sharon Claydon:
“I am thrilled to see the Albanese Labor Government’s $4.7 million delivering such great dividends for the people of Stockton.
Today’s announcement that 130, 000 cubic metres of sand has been returned to Stockton Beach is welcome news. It’s an important first-instalment of our commitment to deliver 300,000 cubic meters in partnership with the City of Newcastle.
The Stockton community deserves full credit for their tireless advocacy to achieve. I look forward to the NSW government progressing plans for longer-term remediation.”
Attributed to Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes:
“Getting the first phase of sand back on Stockton Beach is an exciting milestone, only possible because of the collaboration with the local community and the NSW and Federal Governments.
With phase one now complete, planning is progressing for the next round of dredging to continue this work and ensure that we protect Stockton’s coastline for future generations.”