PHOTO: Gurmesh Singh and Coffs Harbour commercial fisher Grahame Clarke near South Wall
Nationals Member for Coffs Harbour Gurmesh Singh has called on the NSW Government to urgently implement a permanent dredging solution for the entire harbour at Coffs Harbour.
Mr Singh said the dredged sand could be used by private enterprise to offset the costs of the ongoing dredging operation, which has now become critically important.
He said the relentless sand build-up is choking the life out of the harbour, impacting heavily on the commercial and recreational users trying to navigate safe passage at our international marina and our regional boat ramp.
“I urge the NSW Government to begin negotiations with commercial operators to dredge the harbour, with a view to those operators then using the sand as they see fit,” Mr Singh said.
“The private sector has expressed an interest in the sand, a commodity which is traditionally in short supply. It could be well used in the construction industry, for example.
“Instead of getting sand from beaches, doesn’t it make sense to take it from where we have too much?”
Mr Singh said dredging has been far too sporadic over the years, and he wants a dredge to be stationed in and working the harbour permanently.
“We’ve seen the absurd situation of vessels becoming stranded on the sandbank at the marina entrance at low tide, throwing fishing operations and other activities into disarray,” he said.
“And then we have the dangerous conditions at the boat ramp where the narrowing channel is so shallow at low tide, you could almost walk on water. This is entirely unacceptable.
“I’ve called continually for the NSW Government to find a fix and to restore Coffs Harbour’s once-proud reputation as a safe harbour and a working port.
“Today, I’m renewing that plea as a matter of urgency.”
