Government 'buck passing' threatens $6.2m Stockton sand grant

Newcastle Federal MP Sharon Claydon in Stockton, centre, with Newcastle lord mayor Nuatali Nelmes in October to announce the $6.2 million funding package to move 300,000 cubic metres of sand onto Stockton beach.

IT WAS lauded by all levels of government as a critical project to kickstart the long-awaited renourishment of erosion crippled Stockton beach.

After decades of inaction, Hunter residents learnt via a flurry of local, state and federal government media announcements in October that the southern end of Stockton Beach would be replenished with sand from Newcastle Harbour inside a year as a result of a new $6.2 million funding package.