Central Coast Councillor and Chair of the Coastal, Estuary and Floodplain Risk Management Sub-Committee, Rachel Stanton, has welcomed a $1.2M investment by Council in a Tuggerah Lake dredging program.
While Council continues to work with the community through the sub-committee on a holistic and targeted policy for dredging in The Entrance Channel, Stanton said the funding was now ready to deploy as required.
She said Council would be able to commence dredging from March next year, in accordance with biodiversity, tourist and commercial fishing constraints and the finalisation of the overarching policy.
“Flood mitigation remains a top priority for local residents around Tuggerah Lake, a concern that has been further exacerbated by two significant flooding events in 2025 already,” she said.
“This allocation of funding will ensure that Council has the money needed to deliver a dredging program once the committee finalises the scope of ongoing works.
“I am pleased to have successfully put forward one of the largest investments in dredging in recent years, specifically for Tuggerah Lake and The Entrance Channel.
Chair of Tuggerah Lakes Care Group Tony Chippa said the organisation was eager to see dredging works commence once again in the channel.
“We have not seen a dredge in The Entrance Channel for many years now and we believe that this has further added to flooding across Tuggerah Lake,” he said.
“Dredging will help mitigate flooding and ensure that we can protect the residents, businesses and community assets around Tuggerah Lake.”
Chippa said Stanton had continued to meet regularly with the organisation and champion community concerns on the floor of the Council.
Stanton proposed a successful Motion at the June 23 Council meeting seeking a report from the CEO on the availability of fit-for-purpose dredges and the upfront and annual costs associated with purchasing, renting or commissioning a dredge.
She has asked that the report also include technical specifications of an appropriate dredging program and the timeline to procure and recommence dredging.
“It is important that we have the requisite information to make an informed decision at the first sub-committee meeting so we can have a dredge in the water at the first opportunity and I am pleased to have received bipartisan support on this important community issue,” she said.
In the coming weeks, Council will formally invite members of the community to express their interest in being part of the newly formed Coastal, Estuary and Floodplain Risk Management Sub-Committee.
