newy.com.au – The NSW Government has begun preparing a tender for mass sand nourishment at Stockton Beach after seven dredging companies responded to an assessment of industry interest and capacity.
Companies will be invited to bid once the tender documents are complete and the necessary licences and permits have been obtained.
The work is intended to address years of erosion that have stripped sand from Stockton Beach, threatened nearby properties and public infrastructure, and reduced the community’s use of the beach. Replenishing the sand would help rebuild a protective buffer between the ocean and the suburb, while restoring more of the beach for recreation. NSW Environment and Heritage.
The government said the industry assessment, carried out by BMT Consulting, found the project was commercially and technically feasible. It examined whether dredging companies had suitable vessels available, how quickly they could prepare for the work, likely costs and potential risks.
The state’s environment department is now preparing the tender package for the planned work to protect and restore the beach. The seven responses were part of the preliminary assessment, rather than bids for the contract.
The government identified the scale of the sand placement program, vessel availability and the time needed to appoint a contractor as key factors affecting delivery. The method used to place sand, opportunities to align with other regional work and the logistics of bringing vessels to and from the project would also influence the program.
State Member for Newcastle Tim Crakanthorp said “The completion of market sounding and progress towards a contract is a welcome development in the journey for more sand on Stockton Beach,”.
