A protective rock bag structure has been developed along Stockton Beach, providing temporary relief from further shoreline recession.
In front of Barrie Crescent Reserve at Stockton, the beach experienced shoreline collapse after consecutive storm events in 2020.
The significant damage to the shoreline triggered an emergency response to protect the nearby road and properties.
At a cost of $3.9M, the new temporary structure replaces previous sandbagging works comprising 1260 Kyowa rock bags, which weigh more than 5000 tonnes and cover a 210-metre section of coastline.
The rock bags will provide temporary relief while the council sources sand for mass nourishment.
Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said the long-term strategy of mass sand nourishment remained the focus and priority.
“The rock bags offer a robust, sustainable and economical temporary management option for coastal erosion, however they are not a long-term solution,” Cr Nelmes said.
“Our Stockton Coastal Management Program identifies mass sand nourishment as the preferred solution to buffer Stockton from coastal hazards and return amenity and access to the beach, and we will continue to work with the Deputy Premier’s Stockton Beach Taskforce to source the sand needed for Stockton Beach.
“We are expecting a report from the NSW Government, which will provide further detail about the three potential offshore sand sources announced by the Deputy Premier last month.”
The City of Newcastle is investigating the costs, additional studies and approvals involved to secure a mining licence to source offshore sand.
It also continues to work with agencies on opportunities to source sand from within the harbour.
For more information visit the City of Newcastle’s website.
Information source: Media release, City of Newcastle