Pledge to Dredge
by Boating Industry Association 22 Mar 2023 21:29 UTC
Boating Lifestyle out fishing with the family © Boating Industry Association
The NSW Liberal and Nationals have pledged a $33.7 million to ensure the health of coastal waterways across NSW as part of the State's first ever Dredging Strategy.
Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional NSW Paul Toole said regular dredging would provide long-term benefits to the State's waterways.
"Waterways in our regional communities are not only beautiful, they are a massive drawcard for tourism, fishing, recreation and regional events, generating $2 billion in revenue and economic activity for NSW," Mr Toole said.
"For too long, dredging in NSW has been funded, managed and delivered in a case-by-case way - reacting to major weather events when they come, river by river.
"That's why we're rewriting the rulebook to make sure the 24 coastal communities with major waterways can plan with confidence, knowing that their rivers, harbours and estuaries will be dredged regularly and comprehensively until 2053 - ensuring access for everyone who uses them."
A Strategic Business Case for the Long-Term Navigational Dredging Program has been developed by Transport for NSW which examined the various options for delivery of a state-wide program, concluding that an out-sourced, long-term contract with private dredging operators in NSW would achieve best value-for-money. The Long-Term Navigational Dredging Program is a Transport for NSW-led initiative involving the Centre for Maritime Safety and the Maritime Infrastructure Delivery Office.
The BIA welcomes the pledge after a long period of advocacy for a strategic and funded approach to dredging in NSW.