HUNTER River sand dredged for the construction of the proposed Newcastle Gas Terminal project is firming as the most likely short-term solution to renourish Stockton beach.
Newcastle MP Tim Crakanthorp has met with Planning Minister Rob Stokes to shore up support for the plan. Final approval for the $589 million gas project, declared a state significant development, is expected by the end of the year.
It's estimated the beach needs an initial injection of more than two million cubic metres of sand and about 100,000 cubic metres annually.
Mr Crakanthorp said Mr Stokes understands the Stockton erosion issue and showed support for the proposal.
"We can't let all that sand be dumped offshore, this could be the first shot in the arm Stockton needs," he said.
"Moving forward we definitely need offshore sand dredging, I will not rest until we get sand on that beach."
More of our reporting on Stockton Beach
- Wave energy off Stockton intensfies 100 times with potential to destroy homes
- Same old ideas won't save Stockton, we need to get smart
- Research reveals erosion twice as bad as previously predicted
- Sand dredged from Hunter River could save Stockton beach
- Deputy Premier says Stockton beach above politics
- Minister commits to consultation for Stockton solution despite new deadline
- Watch the video: Relentless erosion closes Stockton beach
- Erosion wipes out Stockton's only childcare centre
- Community meeting told Stockton beach losing a metre a year
- Mission Australia's storm damaged Stockton early learning centre
- Childcare centre's future under cloud in erosion saga
- Childcare centre forced to close temporarily due to beach erosion threat
- Council back to drawing board over long-term solution for Stockton erosion
- Playground of Stockton's Mission Australia early learning centre set to be relocated as a result of erosion threat
- Fears childcare centre could crumble into the sea
- Stockton solution moves forward with meeting
- Garbage tip washing into the sea at Stockton
- State government handballs responsibility for Stockton beach
- 2017: Exposed mine shaft shows Stockton beach's erosion problem needs 'urgent' solution
- 2016: Newcastle lord mayor Nuatali Nelmes suggests 'underground breakwall'
- 2016: Worst erosion in memory leaves Stockton beach exposed to next storm
- 2014: Dangerous erosion on Stockton Beach
- 2013: Stockton beach erosion | photos, video
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