A sustainable dredging strategy has been announced for Lake Cathie by NSW Liberals & Nationals .
NSW Leader of The Nationals and Shadow Minister for Ports and Waterways Andrew Stoner and Nationals candidate for Port Macquarie Leslie Williams launched the Rescuing our Waterways policy recently, which included action locally.
Under Rescuing our Waterways, a NSW Liberals & Nationals Government will commit $1.5 million in funding to support urgent dredging projects across NSW, promising to dredge the waterway entrances at Camden Haven River inlet and Hastings River.
“At Lake Cathie, dredging of the area upstream of the Ocean Drive Bridge and the foreshore area east of the bridge should be undertaken in the short term,” Mr Stoner said.
Mrs Williams said that last week’s announcement was an important step for the local area, given the Hastings River, Camden Haven River and Lake Cathie estuary support a diverse range of social, economic and environmental concerns.
Independent Member for Port Macquarie, Peter Besseling, has welcomed the Coalition’s “sustainable dredging strategy” for NSW, but has urged The Nationals to commit real dollars to the rescue plan.
“The Rescuing Our Waterways policy is a great concept, but $1.5m to support urgent dredging projects across NSW won’t go far,” Mr Besseling said.
“On the Mid-North Coast, The Nationals have named the Hastings River, the Camden Haven River, Lake Cathie upstream of the bridge, the Lake Cathie foreshore east of the bridge, the Harrington entrance to the Manning River, Farquhar Inlet, and waterways at Port Stephens, Maianbar and Nambucca as priority areas.
“Dredging of Farquhar Inlet alone will cost $240,000, and there is no indication from The Nationals if this funding pledge is based on a 50:50 contribution from the community, which is already existing government policy.
“The problem for cash-strapped councils is that they can’t afford to take up State dredging offers because they can’t find the funds to meet the 50:50 quota.
“The estimated dredging cost for Port Macquarie-Hastings Council is more than $4 million so, while The Nationals’ waterways rescue is welcome, they need to commit real money to real siltation problems; otherwise they are simply doing exactly what the current government is doing.”
Mr Besseling, who sought, and won, a greater funding commitment from the State Government to dredge Crowdy Harbour last year, said the incoming State Government, regardless of its political colours, had to accept greater responsibility for the maintenance of coastal river systems.
“The responsibility of managing some of our State’s greatest natural assets can’t be left to local councils and ratepayers, who have a big enough challenge in simply maintaining local roads,” Mr Besseling said.
