The NSW Government will operate new permanent sand bypass equipment at the Swansea channel to keep the waterway safe and navigable.
This 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.
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 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."
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."
