THE future of Stockton beach is in the hands of Deputy Premier John Barilaro after City of Newcastle released its much-anticipated, long-term plan to address the suburb's worsening erosion crisis.
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Off-shore sand nourishment - which is illegal in NSW - has been put forward as the only viable option to get enough sand back on the beach and Mr Barilaro has taken up the challenge to determine if it's possible.
It's estimated that between 1.8 million cubic metres and 4.5 million cubic metres of sand is needed to renourish the beach from the breakwater to the Hunter Water land north of Corroba Oval.
City of Newcastle's draft Coastal Management Program (CMP), that goes on public exhibition on Wednesday, recommends spending $19 million over five years to address the erosion crisis.
The majority of money, more than $10.5 million, is recommended to be spent on building new seawalls and extending and maintaining the existing two rock walls.
If the plan is implemented, an additional $4 million would be spent on putting 50,000 cubic metres of sand - less than half of what is lost annually - on the beach from onshore sources.
The sand would be placed at either end of the Stockton surf club rock wall, in front of the caravan park and at Dalby Oval.
The majority of projects would depend on securing grants from the NSW government.
Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said the plan "strikes a balance" between beach amenity and protecting coastal assets and properties from erosion.
"The call for mass sand nourishment for both beach amenity and asset protection has been very clear, and through cost-benefit analysis we've confirmed this option stacks up with a $2.5 million return on investment," Cr Nelmes said.
The plan identifies off-shore sand nourishment as the best way to save the beach and protect homes, $2.5 million in public assets and community land.
It's estimated $21 million is needed for an initial mass offshore sand nourishment program, followed by $12 million in maintenance every decade.
Off-shore sand dredging is not costed in the CMP's proposed actions.
Instead, $10,000 is set aside to work with Mr Barilaro's Stockton Erosion Taskforce that was set up to identify a legal pathway to secure the required volume of sand from two kilometres offshore.
As Resources Minister, Mr Barilaro oversees the off-shore dredging ban.
"We're thankful the NSW Government and in particular the Deputy Premier has recognised the importance of this issue and has committed to using its many agencies to deliver a mechanism to get sand onto Stockton beach," Cr Nelmes said.
"We are now at a critical point in delivering an outcome for Stockton which is why it's so important for the community to have their say on the plan before it goes to the NSW government at the end of June."
Stockton resident Lucas Gresham said while council had done all it could, the suburb had been "left in limbo" hoping Mr Barilaro could find a way forward with off-shore dredging.
Under the draft CMP, $1 million would be spent on a seawall at the intersection of Stone St and Barrie Cres, $3.75 million on extending the southern end of the Mitchell Street rock wall and northern end of the surf club rock wall and $875,000 on building a seawall in front of the caravan park.
An addition $4.5 millon would be spent on maintaining the existing Mitchell St rock wall and $400,000 on upgrading the surf club rock wall.
City of Newcastle would spend $130,000 planning further seawalls for the suburb in case off-shore sand nourishment is not approved.
Additional seawalls would be required if the erosion hits "trigger points" or a hazard line and threatens assets and properties.
Almost $200,000 is slated for roadworks to turn Barrie Cres and Griffith Ave into cul-de-sacs.
As reported by the Newcastle Herald in March, sand loss off the beach is much greater than previously predicted. City of Newcastle's consultants, Bluecoast Engineers, estimate the beach is losing 112,000 cubic metres of sand each year.
Further analysis is being conducted by Bluecoast, on a much larger section of the beach, in an effort to determine what is causing the loss and where the sand is going.
It will be included in the broader Newcastle CMP, due for completion in 2021.
Northside Boardriders president Simon Jones said he was glad the solution focused on getting sand back on the beach and urged residents to have their say during the public exhibition.
Newcastle University's Professor Ron Boyd and Stockton Community Liaison Group chair Barbara Whitcher said they hoped the community could reach a consensus on the best way forward during the draft plan exhibition period and present a united front.
You can view the draft Coastal Management Program here.
