Grant funding to the tune of $200,000 from the NSW Government enables Port Stephens Council to commence the two final stages of the Port Stephens Coastal Management Program.
From left to right: GM Tim Crosdale, Mayor Ryan Palmer, MP Wendy Tuckerman and Strategy and Environment Section Manager Brock Lamont at the funding announcement on Tuesday 6 September.
Minister for Local Government Wendy Tuckerman said this critical funding from the Government was needed to support councils essential work, securing the future of the coastal areas and builds on works already undertaken.
'I'm really excited to see this significant milestone for Port Stephens Council come about, and for the NSW Government to support Council with this funding,' Mrs Tuckerman said.
'These CMPs (Coastal Management Programs) are partnerships between the Government and Councils, and provide long-term strategies to in the management of this estuary. Port Stephens is not only a major tourist hot-spot, but is also ecologically significance for the region.'
Stage three and four of the Port Stephens CMP will enable Council to identify hazards and risks to the estuary and the appropriate next steps to manage these, and is funded through the NSW Government Coastal and Estuary Grants Program.
The aim of the program is to increase the resilience of coastal communities and implement actions that improve the health of NSW estuaries.
Funding is provided at a 2:1 ratio, with $2 contributed from the State Government for every $1 provided by the Council. The program provides technical and financial support to local government to assist them in managing their coastal zone.
The programs objectives are to support local government in managing the risks from coastal hazards, such as coastal erosion, restoring degraded coastal habitats, and improving the health of NSW estuaries, wetlands and littoral rainforests.
News source: NSW Government
