Over $11.6 million to support coastal works across the Illawarra
The NSW Government has today awarded over $11.6 million to Wollongong and Shellharbour City Councils to undertake a number of important coastal works across the region.
Minister for Local Government Shelley Hancock congratulated the two Councils for securing such a substantial pool of funding.
“These two councils have made significant headway to plan and implement a series of projects to manage and protect the region’s coastal environment,” Mrs Hancock said.
“Whether it’s countering beach erosion, improving access to local beaches, removing invasive weeds in wetland areas or implementing environmental monitoring programs, we know these two Councils can’t do it alone.
“This Government will continue to deliver funding and support to all Councils to ensure our unique coastal assets are protected now and into the future.
“Importantly, this latest round of funding demonstrates to all Councils the importance of having a completed Coastal Management Program, with Wollongong and Shellharbour City Councils now receiving 2:1 funding for works at Lake Illawarra.”
Wollongong City Council Lord Mayor, Cr Gordon Bradbery AM welcomed the funding announced by the NSW Government.
“Wollongong City Council looks after a large stretch of coastline and this dynamic marine environment offers us many challenges, including as we move forward and face the realities of climate change,” Cr Bradbery said.
“This funding will assist us to prioritise some key projects in North Wollongong and Port Kembla, as well as support the roll out of actions within the Lake Illawarra Coastal Management Program, which we developed in collaboration with Shellharbour City Council.’’
Shellharbour City Mayor Councillor Marianne Saliba welcomed the funding and said that it would help facilitate vital work on some of the region’s most valuable assets.
“The Warilla Beach seawall is an important asset not only for the people who live facing onto the beach, but for the community who access the shared pathway. This is an important piece of infrastructure that is needed to prevent further erosion,” Cr Saliba said.
“The work to be undertaken at Bass Point will specifically address the threat of weed impacts on vegetation to improve its ecological integrity, habitat value and resilience. Bass Point has great ecological and historical significance, with both Indigenous and European history.
“In regards to the funding for Lake Illawarra, I want to thank the Minister, Shelly Hancock, members of the Lake Illawarra Estuary Management Committee and the Coastal Management Committee for their passion in ensuring the health and future of the lake is secure.”
Wollongong City Council was awarded $4,753,983 for four projects – the construction of a new seawall at North Wollongong Beach, dune stabilisation works at Port Kembla Beach, water quality monitoring at Lake Illawarra, and ecological restoration works around Lake Illawarra.
Shellharbour City Council was awarded $6,875,700 for two projects – one for the renewal of the Warilla Beach seawall, and another for a littoral rainforest regeneration program at Bass Point.
These grants are part of the NSW Government’s Coastal and Estuary Grants Program. The program provides technical and financial support to local government to assist in managing the State’s coastal zone.
