Key pieces of rehabilitation work boosted by $240,000 in NSW Government grants have started improving waterways and ecosystems along the Swansea foreshore.
Minister for Local Government Shelley Hancock inspected the foreshore and wetland rehabilitation site at Swansea today, after $240,000 was awarded to Lake Macquarie City Council to carry out the work as part of the NSW Government's Coastal and Estuary Grants Program.
"I'm pleased with the works completed so far at Swansea foreshore and to see, first-hand, the 80-metre long protective rock wall, revegetation and saltmarsh rehabilitation," Mrs Hancock said.
"Through the Coastal and Estuary Program, the NSW Government is funding half of this exciting Lake Macquarie City Council project.
"Lake Macquarie City Council is to be commended for undertaking this vital restoration work in Swansea for today and tomorrow's locals and visitors."
Mrs Hancock said the Swansea foreshore project aims to rehabilitate important coastal areas and improve ecological health.
"The NSW Government is committed to enhancing the condition of our State's degraded foreshores and wetland areas, lending a helping hand to support local councils and communities to deliver practical and effective coastal management measures," Mrs Hancock said.
"The funding will be used to rehabilitate coastal vegetation, and increase the buffering capacity of the foreshore to filter and treat stormwater runoff, which will lead to a reduction of sediment entering the lake.
"Saltmarsh has been reduced by up to 80% through land development in Lake Macquarie so helping to reinvigorate these crucial coastal zones will go a long way in maintaining nursery areas for fish and prawns, as well as habitat for shorebirds such as the eastern curlew."
The two projects span several sites, including:
- Eraring, Buttaba, Wyee and Swansea foreshores (as part of the Foreshore Grant – $152,809)
- Belmont wetlands, Bonnells Bay and Swansea foreshores (as part of the Wetlands Grant – $90,000)
Mayor of Lake Macquarie Councillor Kay Fraser said the ongoing works were building resilience and awareness in the community.
"The funding we've received as part of the NSW Government's Coastal and Estuary Grants program has helped support our vision to deliver better coastal areas for Lake Macquarie," Cr Fraser said.
