STATE Opposition leader Jodi McKay is scheduled to visit Stockton Beach this morning to push the Coalition government to allow offshore dredging as a solution to the beach's erosion woes.
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And the former Newcastle MP confirmed last night that her shadow cabinet would meet in Singleton on Friday, February 28, with the Country Labor conference at the Civic Centre over the following two days.
On Stockton, Ms McKay said Labor had called for offshore dredging since October but the government had "twiddled its thumbs over summer while Stockton Beach steadily disappeared".
As the Newcastle Herald has reported, Queensland uses offshore dredging to replenish beaches but new laws or regulations would likely be needed before dredged ocean sands could be used to replenish the repeatedly eroded southern end of Stockton.
Deputy Premier John Barilaro has said he "recognises" offshore dredging as a possible option, but Ms MCkay says the government has done nothing to lift the ban, even after Newcastle was one of 56 local government areas declared a "natural disaster area" last week.
"Labor supports any necessary redrafting of existing laws to allow offshore marine dredging for the purposes of beach nourishment, subject to all other environmental and regulatory approvals being met," Ms McKay said last night.
She said Local Government Minister Shelley Hancock had missed a promised deadline of a "long-term solution" by the end of last year. Solid nor-east swells did further damage in recent days and Ms McKay said residents felt they were on borrowed time.
Newcastle MP Tim Crakanthorp and Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes are expected to accompany Ms McKay today.
Mr Crakanthorp said a long-term solution was needed before it's too late.
"The childcare centre has already been lost and now the Caravan Park and Lexie's are at risk," Mr Crakanthorp said.
"Residents are crying out for help because their community is quite literally washing away."
Ms Nelmes said sandbagging was a temporary measure and time was running out.
"We don't have a sand barrier anymore to protect us, the beach is gone and we are exposed," Ms Nelmes said.
"We should be looking at what other states are doing to manage this problem. Action is needed now."
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Ian Kirkwood
Reporting journalist at the Newcastle Herald since 1987. Editorial writer, general reporter, industrial relations, industry and coal.
Reporting journalist at the Newcastle Herald since 1987. Editorial writer, general reporter, industrial relations, industry and coal.
