Stockton CMP erosion management plan on the table

City of Newcastle, NSW, is seeking feedback from the community on erosion management options for the northern area of Stockton Beach as part of work underway on the Stockton Coastal Management Program (CMP) 2021.

The land to the north of Meredith Street is owned and managed by Defence Housing Australia, Hunter Water, Crown Land and the Department of Communities and Justice, and City of Newcastle is working closely with these stakeholders during development of the 2021 CMP.

A long list of coastal management options for the Stockton CMP 2021 has been assessed with four schemes identified to best complement the mass sand nourishment agreed on in the Stockton CMP 2020 while also providing a buffer from erosion and considering the environment, social amenity and recreational use of the beach.

The four schemes that have progressed for further investigation for the northern end of Stockton Beach from Meredith Street to the Port Stephens Local Government Area boundary include maintenance nourishment, an artificial reef, an artificial headland and sand back passing.

City of Newcastle Lord Mayor, Nuatali Nelmes, said that the work is underway on the Stockton CMP 2021, with an aim of identifying additional coastal management options to extend the life of mass sand nourishment.

“We’re investigating the feasibility of these schemes to ensure each is possible and would provide consideration to the entire Stockton Bight,” Cr Nelmes said.

The Stockton CMP 2021 will update the Stockton CMP 2020 to include the northern end of Stockton Beach beyond Meredith Street, with the City reiterating that this land is owned and managed by Defence Housing Australia, Hunter Water, Crown Land and the Department of Communities and Justice.

Also, the City is working closely with these stakeholders during development of the 2021 CMP.