The chair of the NSW Coastal Panel said Wednesdays meeting between government agencies at Stockton beach was a significant and positive step forward to the beachs ongoing erosion issues.
Emeritus Professor Bruce Thom, who leads the statutory body that provides expert advice to the states environment minister and local councils, said an agreement to set-up a steering committee involving government agencies to help council get a better understanding of whats needed for the area, was now in place.
Its basically setting up a collaborative process, a partnership, because thats been missing, he said.
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Its a good step in getting the collaboration going, the meeting was convened by the premier and cabinet.
Mr Thom said he had studied the area of Stockton as far back as the 1960s.
He said plenty of ideas have been put forward, but the assessment of those ideas need to be reviewed and considered in regards to their practicality and costings.
The important thing is weve now got a process that can do this with the government agencies, not just one, but a number of the agencies involved, Mr Thom said.
Stockton residents are expected to be updated on the issue when council holds a community meeting sometime in the next month.
