Budget funding for Stockton sand erosion

A TOTAL of $21.5 million has been allocated in the 2025-26 NSW Budget to continue sand renourishment works at Stockton Beach.

According to the City of Newcastle, Stockton suffers from coastal erosion as its sand naturally moves north, but the Newcastle Breakwater impacts this movement from the south.

“Beaches naturally move – not only landward and seaward but sand also flows like a river to the north,” a City spokesperson said.

“It is estimated that approximately 146,000m3 of sand naturally moves north from Stockton Beach along the Stockton Bight each year – that’s the equivalent of about 58 Olympic swimming pools full of sand.”

Due to its erosion issues, actions to preserve the beach are outlined in the Stockton Beach Repair Blueprint.

The NSW Government has previously worked with the City to deliver 130,000 cubic metres of sand to Stockton Beach.

The new Budget funding is set to deliver the next phase of the Blueprint, which involves a range of action including finalising environmental approvals, creating and implementing an environmental monitoring plan, securing licences, planning the approach to procurement, and delivering beach nourishment.

This investment over five years is in addition to the $6.3 million stage one project administered by the NSW Government and jointly funded by the Australian Government and the City.

Minister for the Environment Penny Sharpe said while significant progress has been on the restoration of Stockton Beach, there’s more to do.

“This investment delivers on our election commitment and funds the largest beach repair project ever undertaken in NSW,” she said.

Chair of the Stockton Special Advisory Panel and Member for Newcastle, Tim Crakanthorp is celebrating confirmation of the beach’s Budget inclusion.

“It’s one thing to have a blueprint – it’s another to have the funding confirmed in this year’s Budget and to be moving onto the next steps of getting sand back on the beach,” he said.