Port Macquarie Hastings Council, NSW, is ready to start work on dredging Lake Cathie to help provide a buffer against coastal erosion along Illaroo Road and improve the environmental amenity of the lake.
“This will be the first dredging since 2018,” PMHC Natural Resources Manager, Ben Foster said. “All we require now for the work to take place is for the lake to completely close and for there to be sufficient water for the dredge to operate. PMHC staff and the dredging operator are ready to go as soon as this occurs.”
This usually occurs towards the end of summer, however an exact date will depend on rainfall and prevailing swell. An end to La Niña should help speed up the closure process.
Dredging will allow sand to be added to the beach away from the lake entrance to assist with the protection of infrastructure at Illaroo Road.
It will also make the lake deeper, improving access for recreational activities including swimming, paddle-boarding and kayaking.