The state government has provided an additional $175,000 funding to the City of Newcastle to allow work to begin on boosting sand volumes on Stockton Beach.
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The latest funding will enable approximately 5,500 tonnes of sand to be placed on the beach to the south of Lexie's Café in time for the Christmas school holidays.
The work is part of a two stage project.
Ms Hancock said the government continued to support City of Newcastle's investigations into potential long-term solutions to improve the condition of the beach, including its investigation into offshore sand dredging.
"I know delays have frustrated the community, but I assure locals my department is doing everything it can to assist council investigate all potential options to support beach replenishment efforts," Ms Hancock said.
Additional sand will be deposited north of the accessway, adjacent to the surf club as part of stage two in the new year.
The initial $350,000 project - funded equally by City of Newcastle and the state government - will restore the beach's amenity and also allow the council to monitor sand movements along the Stockton coast.
"I would like to thank our staff at the city who have worked tirelessly on short and medium-term measures of our coastal zone management plan, from dune stabilisation and sand scraping to beach renourishment, for many years," Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said.
"The project aims to re-instate the amenity of the beach previously enjoyed by locals and visitors this summer. This work is not a preventative measure. A long-term solution to erosion is still required."
Sand for the renourishment project will be purchased from a local sand quarry.
Councillor Nelmes said the council continued to work with the community and the Department of Planning on long-term solutions for the beach.
Offshore sand extraction remains under investigation.
"Discussions to date with the Deputy Premier have been very positive. He understands the issue and that a solution similar to how the Gold Coast ensures the sustainability of its beaches is possible under the minerals act," councillor Nelmes said.
The Newcastle Herald reported earlier this month that Stockton residents had engaged the NSW Environmental Defenders Office to investigate if the state government had a duty of care to repair the beach following devastating erosion caused by the Newcastle harbour breakwaters.
