Government confirms offshore dredging is an option for…

Government confirms offshore dredging is an option for Stockton

Making progress: Workers repairing the beach access way near Lexie's Cafe, Stockton on Tuesday. Truck loads of sand are expected to be dumped on the beach in coming weeks. Picture: Max Mason-Hubers.

The state government has not ruled out lifting a ban on offshore dredging as a means of sourcing sand to replenish Stockton Beach.

Local government minister Shelley Hancock opened the door to the practice on Monday night during a meeting with City of Newcastle and residents regarding the best way to secure the beach's long-term future.

Despite concerns about its cost and environmental impacts, Ms Hancock said the option, should be considered for Stockton.

"Offshore mining classes sand as a mineral so it is restricted at this stage, but it occurs in Queensland," Ms Hancock said on Monday.

"I said to the committee that is an option, that it is not off the table because anything can be done. If we all agree it should be done then we will try to do it."

"We haven't looked at it as an obstacle because of cost but it's always been regarded as a mineral and therefore there are environmental implications."

The ban on offshore dredging is currently overseen by Deputy Premier John Barilaro, who is also minister for Trade and Industry.

The government would need to create new legislation if the practice was to be used at Stockton.

If approved the process would need to be periodically repeated to be effective.

A spokeswoman for Mr Barilaro told the Newcastle Herald on Tuesday that the government was considering its options regarding offshore dredging.

"We are still considering all of our options in relation to long-term solutions for Stockton beach," she said.

"Offshore dredging is just one of the potential options which is being assessed"

Ms Hancock also declared Stockton Beach Stockton Beach a coastal erosion hot spot on Monday and promised the council's funding applications for emergency works would be assessed within days of being received.

Stockton resident Lucas Gresham said he was delighted with Ms Hancock's commitment to rebuild the severely eroded beach.

"The fact that Stockton has united as one with an outcome we all desire has enabled the state and Newcastle Council to act. We appreciate the effort both the state and council are making but we will continue with pushing for long-term benefit and the future of Stockton," he said.

"Until the sand mining and nourishment has been passed and we are granted the ongoing maintenance by way of sand nourishment we will continue our fight as everything else is just short-term fixes.

"But as I said earlier it's obvious Shelley Hancock is a lady of her word, so we have no doubt that she has the power to grant the future of Stockton."

Deeper reading: Save Stockton Beach

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