Review of Environmental Factors and Environmental Management Plan
The joint-funded Australian Government and City of Newcastle $6.3 million Stockton Coastal and Estuarine Risk Mitigation Program is due for completion in December 2025 and will ensure a smooth transition to delivery of the $21.5 million election commitment project. Under the Stockton Coastal and Estuarine Risk Mitigation Program, investigations to identify the preferred source of suitable offshore sand for nourishment of Stockton Beach have recently been completed.
Before approvals and licences can be granted to start dredging sand from offshore, a Review of Environmental Factors is required to investigate any potential impacts of the dredging activity on the environment and show how the impacts will be avoided, minimised or managed, usually through an Environmental Management Plan.
Key objectives
The key objectives of the project are to:
- protect public and private assets from coastal erosion impacts
- improve beach amenity, beach use and community wellbeing
- promote a healthy dune system and prevent landfill exposure
- repair Stockton Beach in alignment with the NSW Government Blueprint and in support of Council’s Coastal Management Plan.
Consultation and engagement
In preparing the Review of Environmental Factors and the Environmental Management Plan, GHD Pty Ltd will consult with key project stakeholders, including Traditional Owners and NSW Government agencies responsible for licensing and approvals. Other key stakeholders including the local community, businesses and landowners will be consulted throughout the consultation process.
Status updates will be provided and stakeholder perspectives captured on the Stockton Beach Repair Project webpage, at the Stockton Special Advisory Panel and throughout the public consultation period.
Project status
Offshore dredging works are expected to have minimal environmental impact. The primary water quality concern during active works is short-term turbidity plumes.
Most other potential impacts, including traffic, noise, air quality, visual and social impacts, are expected to be temporary and limited to the dredging period.
Underwater heritage considerations are carefully assessed through a Maritime Archaeological Statement of Heritage Impact in consultation with Traditional Owners.
Assessments required for the Review of Environmental Factors
| Investigation | Requirements | Findings to date |
|---|---|---|
| Soils and contamination | Investigate soil types and characteristics, including movement and water quality. | Potential for acid sulphate soils. A management plan is to be prepared. Sand at the preferred source sites meets the sand suitability criteria outlined in the Stockton Beach sand management guideline. |
| Aboriginal heritage | A Maritime Archaeological Statement of Heritage Impact (SOHI) is required. | SOHI is being prepared in consultation with Traditional custodians. |
| Biodiversity | Investigate for vulnerable and endangered species and threatened ecological communities and assess impacts to aquatic ecology. | A range of mitigation measures are required to manage any impacts to local ecology. |
| Non-Aboriginal heritage | To be assessed. | Underway. |
| Traffic and transport | Assessment of traffic and transport around the proposal site is required. | A Marine Traffic Management Plan is being prepared. |
| Noise | Impacts on local receivers must be assessed. | Noise is not expected to be significant. |
| Air quality | Assess any impacts on air quality. | Potential exhaust fumes and odour from dredged sand are possible. |
| Water | Investigate surface water, hydrology and groundwater. | Turbidity may be present due to sediment plumes from dredging. |
| Waste | Assess any impacts from waste. | A range of mitigation measures are required to manage waste. Minimal issues are expected. |
| Land resources | Assess impact on land resources. | No long-term, adverse impact on land resources is anticipated. |
| Visual | Assess visual impact. | Temporary impact to amenity from the dredge and dredged sand. |
| Social | Assess social impact. | Short-term impacts with longer-term improvements. |
| Hazard and risk | Assess potential hazards and risks (for example, sea level rise and climate change) | Coastal process assessment is underway. |
| Cumulative impacts | Assess cumulative impacts. | No nearby concurrent projects. |