Port Stephens Council has secured close to $2 million in funding to support essential public asset reconstruction at Marine Drive, Fingal Bay after the area suffered significant damage following storms in March last year.
Mayor Ryan Palmer said Council was pleased to receive the grant funding from the NSW State Government to get the important work underway at Fingal Bay.
“We know the landslip site has been a really big issue for residents and visitors to Fingal Bay with beach access limited and a temporary one-way road arrangement in place while the location was identified as a Natural Disaster area,” Mayor Palmer said.
“The funding we’ve received will be used to stabilise the embankment on the site and surrounding area.
“It’s a big job and it’ll take time to complete the works, but I know the teams at Council are keen to start and see the repairs complete,” he said.
Facilities and Service Acting Group Manager, Phil Miles said the funding was crucial.
“Council does have a small budget for emergency works and infrastructure repairs. However, the impacts of weather events over the past two years have been huge and we just haven’t had enough money to cover the damage,” Mr Miles said.
Mayor Palmer said while Council was thankful for the funding, further storms and recent flooding events had caused further damage to infrastructure across Port Stephens.
“The recent natural disasters resulted in extensive damage to our road networks, riverbanks and foreshores. On top of already existing damage, the costs to Council and our community continue to increase,” Mayor Palmer said.
“I’m committed to continuing to advocate for further funding from the Government to support repairs and recovery of sites across our LGA.”
He said Council will start the detail design of the repairs and then tender for the works.
