Ettalong Channel dredging may start this week
Dredging of the Ettalong Channel could start as soon as this week, weather permitting.
"McQuade Marine have been engaged to carry out the work that will see 30,000 cubic metres of sand removed from the channel," said Member for Gosford Ms Liesl Tesch.
The dredge was expected to start its move from Queensland to Ettalong over the weekend.
"Transport for NSW Maritime has received a Crown Lands' licence to start dredging the Ettalong Channel before the end of August.
"Dredged sand will be placed in the water on Ettalong Shoals, just off Ocean Beach.
"This location is in line with previous dredging campaigns.
"As part of this project, measures will be put in place to protect environmentally-sensitive areas.
"This will include establishing buffer areas to prevent the disturbance of sea grasses."
Ms Tesch said: "The community has been crying out for the Ettalong Channel to be dredged for too long and I am thrilled that this important work will soon begin.
"The previous Government allowed the dredging backlog to build up over 12 years, so now we are fixing the issues we inherited getting to work, dredging the Ettalong Channel."
Minister for Transport Ms Jo Haylen announced that she had asked Transport for NSW to develop a 10-year plan for dredging in the Ettalong Channel.
"I don't want this important work to fall behind again."
Ms Tesch said options for future dredging campaigns included placing sand in areas along the Ettalong foreshore.
"That wasn't possible this time around because it would have delayed the start of dredging, but we'll do the work to explore if it's possible in the future."
SOURCE:
Media release, 17 Aug 2023
Liesl Tesch, Member for Gosford