City of Newcastle has taken the first step in applying for a licence to source offshore sand for the replenishment of Stockton Beach.
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The significant development followed a letter from Deputy Premier John Barilaro to Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes this week, which encouraged the council to apply for approval to use the process as a long-term solution for the beach.
Mr Barilaro clarified that offshore dredging is not illegal in NSW, but it does require a mining lease.
As a state significant development it also requires a development consent.
"Given the legal framework, the fastest way to progress the proposal to extract sand offshore is for the council to urgently seek development consent," Mr Barilaro said.
"If the proposal successfully obtains development consent, then I, as Minister, will release the relevant areas and assess and determine the required mining licence application under the Offshore Minerals Act 1999."
The letter ends months of uncertainty about whether the government would support offshore dredging as a long-term solution for Stockton.
It began when Local Government Minister Shelley Hancock told media during a visit to Stockton last September that, while offshore dredging should be considered as an option, it would probably require an amendment to existing legislation.
"We haven't looked at it (offshore dredging) as an obstacle because of cost but it's always been regarded as a mineral and therefore there are environmental implications."
The process has been successfully used at at the Gold Coast and internationally in the Netherlands over the past decade.
In 2017 an offshore dredging program saw three million cubic metres of sand pumped onto Gold Coast beaches to combat erosion partially caused by the Tweed River breakwaters.
It took about four months, cost $13.9 million and moved enough sand onto five beaches to fill 15,000 Olympic swimming pools, or about six times the amount needed to renourish Stockton beach.
The Gold Coast project was designed to last up to 15 years.
City of Newcastle chief executive Jeremy Bath, on behalf of the Lord Mayor, welcomed Mr Barilaro's letter but pointed out the Stockton Community Liaison Group was advised in December that the process of gaining a development approval could take up to five years.
"Based on the rate of shoreline recession at Stockton Beach, we have serious concerns that additional significant erosion will occur, placing public assets, private property and public safety at further risk," Mr Bath wrote in a letter sent to Mr Barilaro on Friday afternoon.
But as a first step towards lodging an application, the council has asked the government to identify offshore locations of sand sources for extraction that is suitable for beach nourishment and to provide land owners (the government) consent for the project.
When advised of the council's response, Mr Barilaro stressed his offer to assist in gaining approval for offshore dredging was genuine.
He highlighted that he had met with Opposition Leader Jodi McKay, Newcastle MP Tim Crakanthorp and Hunter Duty MLC Taylor Martin in the past week in an effort to find a long term solution for Stockton Beach.
"In those conversations I indicated that I would do everything to shorten the planning timeline, including lobbying the Planning Minister," he said.
"You can see I've put politics aside by working with both government members and the Opposition to find a solution."
"I have even spoken to Tim Crakanthorp and Taylor Martin today to organise an urgent visit."
"As the Mining Minister I have a decision making role, but the first steps would be for the council and the Planning Minister."
Ms Hancock last week brought forward the deadline for the council to submit its Coastal Management Plan by six months in response to concerns about the rapidly deteriorating state of Stockton's foreshore.
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Matthew Kelly
Matthew Kelly has worked as a journalist for more than 25 years. He has been working as a general reporter at the Newcastle Herald since 2018. In recent years he has reported on subjects including environment, energy, water security, manufacturing and higher education. He has previously covered issues including the health and environmental impacts of uncovered coal wagons in the Hunter Valley, the pollution of legacy of former industrial sites and freedom of information issues.
Matthew Kelly has worked as a journalist for more than 25 years. He has been working as a general reporter at the Newcastle Herald since 2018. In recent years he has reported on subjects including environment, energy, water security, manufacturing and higher education. He has previously covered issues including the health and environmental impacts of uncovered coal wagons in the Hunter Valley, the pollution of legacy of former industrial sites and freedom of information issues.
