The Department of Regional NSW’s Public Works unit has awarded the contract to RN Dredging to deliver the first 100,000 cubic metres of sand.
NSW Government is working closely with the City of Newcastle and Lord Mayor to coordinate this initial $6.2 million phase of the project to tackle coastal erosion.
During this initial renourishment operation, sand will be placed in the surf zone at the southern end of Stockton Beach which will provide amenity improvement and protection against further erosion.
Sections of the beach may be closed intermittently during the sand renourishment operation and a 200-metre exclusion zone will also be placed around the dredger while work is being carried out.
Given the importance of weather and tide patterns, exact timing will be announced closer to the commencement of the operation.
The next steps for Stockton include progressing investigations into the longer-term sources of potential sand reserves and a delivery plan for the $21 million election commitment.
Minister for Regional NSW, Tara Moriarty said:
“I am pleased to announce that the first 100,000 cubic metres of sand will be dredged and sprayed into the water off Stockton Beach during October.
“This is an important step in delivering on our election commitment and demonstrating our commitment to resolving ongoing erosion issues.
“A specialist dredging vessel will be used to deposit sand collected from an outer shipping channel of Newcastle Harbour, known as ‘Area E’.
“Working alongside the City of Newcastle and the Lord Mayor, we have secured all the necessary approvals and licences required to proceed with this vital work.”
Minister for the Hunter, Yasmin Catley said:
“This initial work is informing a blueprint for the rollout of the NSW Government’s $21 million election commitment for mass sand nourishment at Stockton.
“This is great news for the people of Stockton who have been waiting a long time to see this kind of real action.
"The community should take heart that this government isn't just talking about the problem, it is doing something about it. We have a dredging vessel that’s weeks away from delivering the first placement of sand as investigations continue into longer term solutions."
City of Newcastle Lord Mayor, Nuatali Nelmes said:
“The City of Newcastle welcomes the news that a contractor has been appointed and that work to renourish the beach will get underway next month.
“Since Minister Moriarty reconvened the Stockton Beach Taskforce in June, the City of Newcastle worked productively with NSW Government agencies to get sand on the beach.
“I’m pleased that this work has contributed to the NSW Government’s rapid efforts to source and place sand on Stockton Beach.”