Stockton Land Restoration
Latest stage of restoration work completed
We’ve successfully completed our most recent remediation work during winter and spring on our 15ha landholding at Stockton. The work has been the latest stage of the ongoing project dating back to January 2018 after severe storm erosion.
Since then, we’ve removed more than 10,000 tonnes of contaminated waste, including asbestos, from the former council landfill site behind our seawall. The surface has been capped, extensive tracts of bitou bush have been removed, and with 10,000 new natives planted in recent months, we’ve established 28,000 in all.
We installed chain-wire fencing to aid the remediation, stop illegal rubbish dumping, and ensure public safety.
We’ve consulted with residents and representatives of the Stockton Community Group over the last four years. The community would prefer to use our land to access the beach at North Stockton. However, any future public access will need to be negotiated as part of City of Newcastle’s Extended Stockton Coastal Management Plan.
Consultation with residents and representatives of community groups has occurred over the last four years. The community’s preference is to use our land to access the beach at North Stockton, however, any future public access will need to be negotiated as part of City of Newcastle’s Extended Stockton Coastal Management Plan.
Why is fencing needed?
This section of land was previously a council landfill site and a wastewater (sewage) treatment facility and now contains contaminants below the topsoil. The new sand, mulch and native species provide a protective barrier and stop any contaminants below being exposed. This barrier can be disturbed by driving and walking on the surface.
Signage has been installed at Lavis Lane, Williamtown, advising recreational vehicle drivers that exiting Stockton Beach at Stockton is not possible.
Community fact sheets
Timeline
Replanting with native species
2020
We removed bitou bush and replanted part of the land with native species, and installed fencing to allow the vegetation to establish.
Weed removal and revegetation
2021
We removed more invasive plants and completed more revegetation work.
Next steps to manage erosion, revegetation, community safety
Mid 2022
We’re about to kick off more work at Fullerton St Stockton to manage erosion, revegetation and community safety. Since 2018 we’ve invested $5.9 million in improving the land. The next round of work will involve clearing weeds, replanting native species and removing more than 1,500 tonnes of contaminated landfill.
Walking and driving over the land disturbs the surface and risks exposing contaminants, so to protect community safety we’ll also be fencing the land. This temporary measure will be in place until the Extended Stockton Coastal Management Program is delivered.
Completion (ongoing maintenance and further remediation work may be needed in the future)
Mid-to-late 2022
The final stage of remediation is now complete (although ongoing maintenance and further remediation work will likely be needed). A further 10,000 native shrubs have been planted, taking the total number of native plants to 28,000. Bitou bush and other weeds have been cleared and extensive mulching has occurred. Fencing is in place to aid re-vegetation, stop illegal rubbish-dumping and ensure public safety.
Photo gallery
Project news
Tank traps re-located to protect land and improve security
Published 6 July 21
Some of the concrete tank traps, removed from the shoreline in October 2020, have been relocated toward the front of Hunter Water’s land along Fullerton Street, Stockton.
Tank traps re-located to protect land and improve security - Read more
World War II tank trap removal
Published 9 October 20
Over the past two weeks we have removed most of the concrete World War II tank traps from our section of the shoreline at Stockton beach.
Fencing work to begin
Published 19 June 20
Work will soon begin to construct a chain-mesh fence around the southern portion of land. This land was previously a council landfill site and is being restored and planted with native species. It's necessary to protect the area, especially while the new native plants are establishing.