Minister for Local Government Shelley Hancock today announced almost $250,000 of funding for the City of Newcastle Council to assist with the management of coastal erosion issues at Stockton.
"Following my visit to Stockton on Monday and the declaration of the beach as a Significant Open Coast Location, I requested Council's grant applications be rapidly assessed and fast tracked," Mrs Hancock said.
"Grants have been awarded for emergency sandbagging at the end of Griffth Avenue and Stone Street, and to assist with the demolition of the former North Stockton Surf Club – both actions listed in the Council's Coastal Zone Management Plan."
Funding is being provided under the NSW Government's $83.6 million Coastal and Estuary Grants program.
"I continue to encourage Council to investigate all potential long-term solutions for improving the degraded beach and to work with the NSW Government to obtain funding and implement solutions.
"I have also instructed the Department of Planning, Industry and Environment to work closely with Council to finalise their Coastal Management Plan."
Since 2011, the NSW Government has awarded City of Newcastle Council almost $1.5 million to address coastal management issues across the Newcastle region.
