Central Coast Council is set to receive more than $100,000 from the State Government for coastal works at Pearl Beach Lagoon.
The 2023-24 Coastal and Estuary Grants Management Program will provide $107,750 for important protection works.
The project will see two sediment traps constructed on the main drain inlets into the lagoon, reducing sediment loads entering the waterway.
It will also investigate options for removing material from the bed of the lagoon.
Sediment plumes removed from drain outlets will be treated and re-purposed on-site to rehabilitate eroded shorelines and enable planting of wetland vegetation.
Pearl Beach resident Malcolm Davison said the community had been agitating for about 15 years for the lagoon to be rehabilitated.
“This is the first step – the silt traps – to stop it getting worse and then gradually giving us the opportunity to improve the water quality with some strategic planting of water-based trees,” he said.
“It’s a natural lagoon, it’s not man-made, it has been here for generations.
“It’s a magical place, just listen to the bird life here.”
Member for Gosford Liesl Tesch said coastal systems were home to countless flora and fauna, with many thriving in the unique location of Pearl Beach.
“Funding to address issues such as sediment plumes and eroding shorelines is desperately needed,” she said.
“I hope this funding also motivates local community members to play a role to reduce sedimentation through their daily activities.
“Thank you to the Pearl Beach community for their advocacy over many years to address coastal management at Pearl Beach Lagoon.”
The project is among 34 coastal management projects to be funded under the program with a total of $11.3M.
For more information on the projects and the Coastal and Estuary Grants Program visit: www.environment.nsw.gov.au/topics/water/coasts/coastal-and-estuary-grants