The Swansea Channel

13 November 2024

 

THE operation of sand bypass equipment by the State Government, follows an announcement from the Commonwealth Government that they will provide a $10 million grant to the Lake Macquarie City Council to fund the construction of new dredging infrastructure, including a dredge, permanent pipes and sand transfer infrastructure, that will be put in place over the next two years.

 

Minister for Transport Jo Haylen said, “This investment will improve navigation safety for all users of Swansea Channel. A reliable access route is crucial for local businesses and tourists, so we can ensure Lake Macquarie remains a premier destination for water-based activities.

 

“This dredging initiative is being designed with careful consideration of the surrounding natural ecosystems, ensuring that we protect the beauty of Australia’s largest saltwater lake for generations to come.”

 

Member for Shortland, Pat Conroy said that the local community has been waiting for a long-term solution to the dredging issue in the Swansea Channel for too long. "I’m proud to be part of a government finally delivering on it," he said.

 

“The economic case for this project is obvious because the benefits it will feed back into the region will be tremendous.

 

“Economic modelling provided to the Lake Macquarie City Council estimates that a channel which is permanently navigable could unlock over $175 million in new construction around the lake alone, not to mention the new jobs in tourism, accommodation and hospitality it’ll open up for locals.

 

“As the Member for Shortland, I’m excited we’ve been able to reach an agreement on this important election commitment, and as a local I can’t wait to see how it progresses.”

 

Once the dredge and sand bypass infrastructure are built, the NSW Government has committed an additional $6 million to allow NSW Maritime to operate and maintain the equipment, moving sand from the waterway to nourish nearby beaches.

 

It follows a successful two-stage dredging process funded by the NSW Government that returned vessel access to Lake Macquarie, supporting the recreational boating community and serving as a gateway to the region’s famous lakes, rivers and beaches.

 

During the first stage of dredging, 16,690 cubic metres of sand were removed from three areas to create a 30-metre-wide channel, extending from the Dog Leg southeast of Elizabeth Island, up to the Drop Over northwest of the Swan Bay Entrance.

 

The second and final stage of the operation successfully removed an additional 13,000 cubic metres of sediment from key points.

 

This initiative is in addition to the Government’s new Boating Infrastructure and Dredging Scheme (BIDS), which will include funding for a statewide program of proactive dredging in priority locations.

 

Minister for the Hunter and Member for Swansea Yasmin Catley said, “We promised to fix the Swansea Channel and ensure it remains safe and navigable and that’s exactly what we’re doing.

 

“This will provide certainty to local and visiting boaties and allow them to visit one of the state’s most beautiful waterways year-round.

 

“Lake Macquarie is one of New South Wales’ top tourist destinations. By improving access to our wonderful waterways, we’re making sure that locals and visitors can fully enjoy the first class recreational opportunities our region has to offer.”

 

The project, which will construct permanent water and land-based dredging infrastructure for the Swansea Channel, will also provide safer and more reliable access for boaters.

 

It will include the design, manufacture, and installation of a sand transfer pipeline, and the replacement of the Blacksmiths Boat Ramp.

 

Regular dredging will also enable the construction of further marina berths and support additional tourism activity on the water, feeding into the heightened demand for accommodation and hospitality in the City of Lake Macquarie – particularly in peak holiday periods.

 

Tendering for the dredge is expected to commence in early 2025, with the remainder of the project work to begin soon after.

 

For more information on the program visit the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts website.

Name (First & Last):

Email:

Submitting Form...

The server encountered an error.

Subscription received.

SUBSCRIBE