Council forms Community Liaison Group on Stockton Beach erosion

A group of leading locals will share community views and knowledge of local issues as Newcastle City Council continues to seek a long-term solution to the worsening erosion of Stockton Beach.

L-R: Community Liaison Group members Simon Jones, Kate Johnson, Amanda Plumsted, Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes, Callan Nickerson and Keith Craig

The Stockton Community Liaison Group is made up of residents from the suburb, including Stockton Surf Life Saving Club president Callan Nickerson.

"The Community Liaison Group will provide valuable input into the Stockton component of a Coastal Zone Management Plan, as we work with the State Government toward an agreed plan of action on this longstanding threat to Stockton's shoreline", Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said.

"I want to thank these individuals for accepting our invitation to this group and their willingness to help inform the parties involved in developing long-term strategies to address this coastal erosion and other related issues."

"The erosion problems we are facing in Stockton are complex and not easily solved, but all parties are working together to work out how to best manage them."

The group will be chaired by Barbara Whitcher, a resident of Stockton for more than 60 years.

Members of the Community Liaison Group include:

Barbara Whitcher, Stockton Community Action Group member
Callan Nickerson, Stockton Surf Life Saving Club President
Andrew Smith, Worimi Local Aboriginal Land Council CEO
Kate Johnson, Stockton Community Action Group Chairperson
Keith Craig, Stockton Community Action Group member
Simon Jones, Northside Boardriders Club President and Stockton Community Action Group member
Sean Shotter, local lawyer and Northside Boardriders Club member
Amanda Plumsted, Stockton Community Action Group Treasurer and Stockton Surf Life Saving Club member

Council is also inviting all Stockton residents and businesses to a community information session to be held on Wednesday 7 March at Stockton RSL.

Newcastle City Council is holding the information session to update the Stockton community on remediation works at Stockton Beach, future plans and possible long-term strategies.

Key state government agencies will be attending, including the Office of Environment and Heritage and Hunter Water Corporation, as well as representatives from Stockton Early Learning Centre operator Mission Australia.

"I encourage everyone to come along to this information session," the Lord Mayor said.

Date: 4.30pm-6pm, Wednesday 7 March 2018
Location: Stockton RSL, Douglas Street, Stockton