Dredging of Swansea Channel gets underway

Swansea Channel and Lake Macquarie SW

Swansea Channel © Lake Maquarie Tourism

'It involves the removal of up to 100,000 cubic metres of sand from the channel between the southern entrance to Swan Bay and the dropover.

'Today’s announcement delivers on the commitment and long term strategy to invest in one of the region’s most significant boating waterways.

'$2.5 million has been made available for the long-term navigational dredging of Swansea Channel through funding arrangements between NSW Trade and Investment Crown Lands and Transport for NSW,' Minister Humphries said.

Minister Gay said Swansea Channel was significant on a regional and state scale as the entrance to Lake Macquarie was used by 18,000 boats.

'The number of boats using the lake is expected to increase to 25,000 boats by 2020 resulting in a potential increased value of up to $3.7 million a year to the local economy.

'The dredging campaign is expected to deliver a channel form of 60 metres width and 3.5 metres depth which would cater for most Lake Macquarie boaters,' Minister Gay said.

Swansea Channel © SW

'The dredged sand will be pumped through a pipeline to Blacksmiths Beach for rebuilding of the dunes. Crown Lands is working with the Bahtabah Local Aboriginal Land Council and the Soil Conservation Service to ensure the sand is properly shaped, revegetated and stabilised.

'Neumann Dredging Pty Ltd will take about four weeks to transport and set up the dredge, install the temporary pipeline for sand transport and establish a temporary work compound.

'Dredging is expected to start mid October 2014.

'Once dredging and sand pumping commences, a portion of Blacksmiths Beach will be closed for approximately 10 weeks while the dredging takes place.

'The large scale dredging campaign of Swansea Channel is part of the Government’s commitment to maintaining safe boating access along the NSW coast.'