Stockton Beach project moves to tender preparation stage

newy.com.au – Planning for the Stockton Beach mass sand nourishment project has moved to its next phase after the Stockton Special Advisory Panel met on 16 March to discuss the start of works backed by a $21.5 million NSW Government investment.

Completed environmental assessments are now being compiled into a decision pack so a determination can be made under Part 5 of the EP&A Act. Once that determination is made, the planning approval will be used as the basis for applications for permits and licences required from other agencies.

DCCEEW has engaged dredging market experts British Maritime Technology to undertake market sounding on the global availability of dredges, the key risks and challenges involved, and the contract options that offer the best value for money. The work is intended to help the large-scale sand nourishment program be delivered efficiently and effectively.

A procurement strategy being developed in parallel by BMT will support DCCEEW in preparing and releasing a tender for dredging works to carry out the mass sand nourishment.

The panel is expected to continue receiving updates on the progress of the project, with meetings to be held up to three times a year throughout its life.

Chair of the Stockton Special Advisory Panel and Member for Newcastle Tim Crakanthorp said he was pleased to see the project moving beyond preliminary work.

“I am pleased to see the conversation move on from background studies and environmental assessments to the next stage of the project with the market sounding and I am looking forward to seeing this component completed in coming months,” he said.

“This will provide us with the appropriate information to form contracts to be included in tenders for dredging works.”

“This is a first for NSW and will form a way forward for coastal communities across NSW. It is a collaborative project with all levels of government working to protect Stockton Beach.”