Blueprint to deliver 21 million Stockton Beach repairs
In a significant step forward for the environment and community of Newcastle, the NSW Government has shared the $21 million Stockton Beach Repair Blueprint which outlines steps being taken to repair the beach.
The Department of Planning and Environment presented the Blueprint at the Stockton Beach Taskforce meeting. The Blueprint delivers on a commitment to outline the NSW Government plan for funding and action to address erosion at Stockton Beach.
It sets out a program of initiatives that will improve the usability of Stockton Beach and reduce risks from coastal hazards.
The Blueprint identifies 5 keys steps commencing with initial beach nourishment, obtaining approvals, completing sand nourishment activity, monitoring and facilitating ongoing beach management.
The NSW Government has already taken the first steps, with initial beach nourishment of 130,000 cubic metres of sand delivered to Stockton during October and November 2023 as part of a $6.3 million project that was led by the Minister for Regional NSW.
This initial work was completed by the NSW Government, and jointly funded by the Federal Government’s 2022–23 Coastal and Estuarine Risk Mitigation Program and the City of Newcastle.
The NSW Government will keep the community updated as next steps are taken to meet the necessary requirements to access sand that can be used for the nourishment activities, award a dredging contract and complete the large-scale beach repair activity.
These next steps will be facilitated by the Minister for the Hunter who will assume the role of Chair of the Stockton Beach Taskforce moving forward.
Quote attributable to Minister for Climate Change and the Environment Penny Sharpe:
“The NSW Government made a commitment to the community that we would take action to repair the erosion that has occurred at Stockton Beach, and this $21 million Blueprint sets out how we are going to honour that commitment.
“The beach repair works will help City of Newcastle and the community realise their long-term strategy for Stockton.
“In steering the initial stage of sand nourishment, the NSW Government has delivered 130,000 cubic metres of sand for the people of Stockton to start making a real difference.”
Quote attributable to Minister for the Hunter Yasmin Catley:
“The community of Stockton has never stopped fighting for their beach, and we’re with them all the way.
You can already see the difference. As Minister for the Hunter, I know what the beach means to the locals in Stockton, and to all of us.
The NSW Government is proud to make this happen, and we’re serious about getting it right. That’s what I take into my role as Chair of the Stockton Beach Taskforce.
It’s a complex problem that deserves a detailed plan now, not years down the track. We’re locking in a future for Stockton beach, and the people of Stockton are part of that. They own this.”
Download: Stockton Beach Repair Blueprint
Photographs available here: Dropbox
