The NSW Government has awarded a $250,000 contract for further dredging works in Swansea Channel.
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Queensland-based company Sandpiper Dredging, which carried out the most recent dredging works in the channel, won the tender by Department of Planning, Industry and Environment - Crown Lands to further remove sand "at later dates".
"Sandpiper Dredging has just completed nearly four weeks of dredging to remove more than 10,000 cubic metres of sand from Swansea Channel," Taylor Martin MLC, the Liberal Member of the NSW Upper House for the Hunter, said.
"This dredging has cleared the area between Naru Point and the Dropover where vessel navigation problems had been occurring.
"The channel has been cleared to a depth of 3 metres at low tide which is great news for boaters heading into the upcoming Christmas and New Year holiday period.
"The awarding of another contract means that the channel can be maintained with further dredging at later dates when needed."
DPI has also deposited about 5000 cubic metres of dredged sand at the southern end of Blacksmiths Beach to help improve beach conditions.
Mr Martin said Swansea Channel is highly dynamic and conditions will continue to be monitored through seabed level surveys.
"Since 2011 the NSW Government has provided over $4 million in funding for dredging work in Swansea Channel to help maintain the entrance to Lake Macquarie," Mr Martin said.
"The awarding of this further $250,000 contract means we have resources in place to remove up to 20,000 cubic metres of more sand at later dates when needed.
"The government will continue to undertake maintenance dredging in Swansea subject to funding availability to keep the channel clear and navigable.
"Healthy waterways are important for our coastal communities to support recreational boating, commercial fishing and tourism so we need to keep them safe and functional for maritime activities."