A new surf break may be created at Blacksmiths Beach from the excess sand dredged from the Swansea Channel.
The plans come as Lake Macquarie Council last night approved a feasibility study into the works, where sand from a proposed $2-million state government funded dredging strategy would be pumped onto Blacksmiths Beach.
Deputy mayor Daniel Wallace said the proposal is modelled on the success of the Snapper Rocks Superbank project on the Gold Coast.
“That’s the most similar example I could find,” he said, with the reuse of sand showing “good bang for their buck”.
The Gold Coast Superbank extends around 2 kilometres from Snapper Rocks Point to Kirra with the world-famous break creating huge tourism in the region since 1995.
Cr Wallace says work on the feasibility study should commence shortly following a council briefing in the next few weeks.
Council otherwise endorsed recommendations from the NSW Crown Lands Division report for a minimum channel width of 60 metres and a depth of -3.5 metres as the highest benefit versus cost ratio, with an annual council maintenance cost of $360,000.
Council will seek further discussions with the state government to confirm funding and partnership arrangements.
Blacksmiths
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