The NSW Government has today awarded over $400,000 to Lake Macquarie City Council to undertake a number of projects to manage the region's coastline and estuaries.
Minister for Local Government Shelley Hancock congratulated Council on successfully securing funding and its commitment to improving the resilience and health of our waterways.
"With the region being home to some of the most dynamic coastal and estuary environments in Australia, it's critical Council is supported to undertake these important works," Mrs Hancock said.
"This Government is committed to supporting councils and communities manage and protect our unique coastal assets now and into the future."
Member for Lake Macquarie Greg Piper said our community benefits from an amazing coast and lake environment but we've learnt, often way too late, that our natural environment is also fragile and needs to be protected.
"It's great to see the State Government working with Council to protect these fragile ecosystems and I'm particularly pleased to see the investment to protect and enhance salt marsh and wetland areas in and around Dora Creek and Wyee Bay," Mr Piper said.
Mayor of Lake Macquarie, Councillor Kay Fraser welcomed the announcement of over $400,000 from the State Government and said the funding will allow Council to implement projects to improve natural areas at multiple sites across the City.
"It's great news for our local environment and adds to the millions of dollars that Council has spent in recent years on projects to improve water quality, prevent erosion and improve biodiversity," Cr Fraser said.
"We continue to show we can deliver actions to maintain and improve the health of our lake, waterways and coastline while providing community access and recreation in these areas."
Funding was awarded for three projects:
- $237,048 to implement a dune enhancement program at Redhead and Crabbs Beach
- $115,236 to complete a floodplain rehabilitation program at Wyee Bay and Dora Creek
- $51,833 to assist with the completion of Stage 2 of the Lake Macquarie coastal management program.
The $404,117 in grants are part of the NSW Government's Coastal and Estuary Grants Program. The program provides technical and financial support to local government to assist in managing the State's coastal zone.
