Port Stephens mayor Leah Anderson is calling for the state government to step in and provide much-needed assistance for erosion along Shoal Bay Road.
State legislation only allows sandbags to be in place for up to 90 days, but Cr Anderson believes an extension would be beneficial to allow for long-term solutions to begin.
Currently, no sand bags are in place along the deteriorating foreshore due to the restrictions, with recent harsh weather removing large chunks of sand.
Cr Anderson said sand management is only a short-term fix.
“We’re trying to do all the studies that we need to do to actually look at what we need to do,” she said.
“We need to do something to stabilize the area until we can work out that long-term solution.”
The mayor recent wrote to the NSW Environment Minister Penny Sharpe to advocate for a 12 month extension to sand bag limits.
Additionally, she said with the state government’s financial support, a stronger long-term solution can be found.
“We don’t have a lot of funding for the works that we need to do,” she said.
“We need to apply for state government grants to be able to co-fund long-term solutions.”
Council is seeking the state approval to secure the beachfront as they continue delivering their long-term Coastal Management Program.
BY CAMERON TARAGEL
Erosion along Shoal Bay Road in April this year. Picture: Port Stephens Council