Labor rules out coal levy, but still to reveal Stockton beach policy

State Labor has ruled out imposing a levy on the coal exports to held pay for the maintenance of Stockton Beach if it wins the March state election. Picture by Simone DePeak

Labor has ruled out imposing a levy on coal exports in order to raise funds for the repair and maintenance of Stockton Beach.

The Greens last week announced plans to push for a levy, possibly as high as $1 a tonne, on coal companies and the Port of Newcastle if the party holds the balance of power following the March state election.

Labor leader Chris Minns and Newcastle MP Tim Crakanthorp met with Stockton locals in November to discuss the erosion crisis.

He promised to unveil the party's plans for the repair and long-term maintenance of the beach during the election campaign.

A spokesman for Mr Minns told the Newcastle Herald that the party was still finalising its policy but ruled out imposing a levy on coal exports.

Chris Minns, centre, and Newcastle MP Tim Crakanthorp meet with Lucas Gresham, Barbara Whitcher and Callan Nickerson at Stockton. Picture by Marina Neil.

Greens Upper House MP Sue Higginson last week argued that a levy would be a fair way to compensate the community for the impact of Stockton breakwall on erosion along the southern end of the beach.

"We know the state government has to step up on this issue but we also know the very important infrastructure around the port is one of the major contributors to this situation," Ms Higginson said.

"There is an enormous amount of money being made from the export of coal through this port.

"Levies are an effective and accepted way of paying for public infrastructure.

"The money (to restore the beach) should come from where the harm has been caused."

The Newcastle Herald revealed on Monday that the Port of Newcastle's dredger the David Allan was no longer dumping 30,000 cubic metres of sand off Stockton Beach after its licence was revoked because it was no longer a public authority.

Acting chief executive Simon Byrnes said port would be happy to resume the practice if given approval by the state.

The Department of Regional NSW, Department of Planning and Environment, Deputy Premier Paul Toole's office and Planning Minister Anthony Roberts' office did not answer about whether the port would be granted permission to continue the sand nourishment works.

Meanwhile, negotiations are continuing regarding who should be responsible for undertaking a proposed offshore dredging program that would provide sand to renourish the beach.

City of Newcastle is lobbying the government to take on the work.

Recent sand surveys in Stockton Bight confirmed previous research that showed there is more than enough sand to sustain an ongoing beach renourishment program.

However, questions remain over how the project should be funded.

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