Port Stephens risks losing its reputation as blue water wonderland for thousands of boating tourists unless urgent approval is given to dredge several key channels, industry groups say.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
At the top of the list are Oyster Cove and the natural entrance to the Myall River at Tea Gardens.
Industry and community groups argue that a single authority is needed to oversee the waterway, which is managed by a mix of local, state and even federal government departments.
The mire of state government departments and agencies alone includes the Department of Crown Lands (fisheries and primary industries), the Environment Protection Authority, the Marine Parks Authority and Roads and Maritime Services.
Australian Boat Company owner Peter Kennedy said his Soliders Point business had gone from employing up to six staff to two because boats were unable to reach his slipway.
“I’m losing customers ten-fold; the amount of money that is being lost from the marine industry is devastating,” he said.
“Some of them have gone to Lemon Tree Passage but most have gone to Newcastle or even Sydney.”
Oyster Cove marina operator Robert Bailey said future growth was dependent on the channel being dredged.
“At present boats are running aground in the channel,” he said.
“We need to be looking to the future regarding how we get boats into Port Stephens.”
Myall River Action Group spokesman Gordon Grainger said it was incredibly frustrating to watch the river’s water quality deteriorate while an application to dredge the channel spent months in the approval process.
“I can understand why they (regualtions) are there, but I don’t understand why they need to get approval for every time they need to do something,” he said.
Port Stephens MP Kate Washington wrote to roads and maritime minister Melinda Pavey in January to express concern about impact of the clogged waterways on the maritime industry.
“As you would appreciate the waterways in my electorate serve a large and growing population across the Hunter Region, providing commercial and recreational access to valuable maritime activity,” Ms Washington wrote.
“Unfortunately with many coastal regions, our waterway users often suffer through the often complex and lengthy processes required to plan, fund and execute necessary dredging.”
Duty MLC for Port Stephens Catherine Cusack announced earlier this month that dredging had begun in the area known as ‘the gut’ in the Myall River to improve access to nearby river moorings.
Approximately 10,000 cubic metres of sand will be removed as part of the five week process.
Port Stephens waterways choked in red tape first appeared in the Newcastle Herald.
Matthew Kelly
Matthew Kelly has worked as a journalist for more than 25 years. He has been working as a general reporter at the Newcastle Herald since 2018. In recent years he has reported on subjects including environment, energy, water security, manufacturing and higher education. He has previously covered issues including the health and environmental impacts of uncovered coal wagons in the Hunter Valley, the pollution of legacy of former industrial sites and freedom of information issues.
Matthew Kelly has worked as a journalist for more than 25 years. He has been working as a general reporter at the Newcastle Herald since 2018. In recent years he has reported on subjects including environment, energy, water security, manufacturing and higher education. He has previously covered issues including the health and environmental impacts of uncovered coal wagons in the Hunter Valley, the pollution of legacy of former industrial sites and freedom of information issues.
