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Contract awarded for commencement
of work on Lake Illawarra entrance

May 4, 2006

Illawarra company Coastwide Civil has been awarded the $2.15 million contract to construct a permanent opening for Lake Illawarra, Minister for Natural Resources Ian Macdonald and Minister for the Illawarra David Campbell announced today.

 Mr Macdonald said work on the breakwaters would begin by the end of the month, and take around one year to complete.

 “The Iemma Government is committed to providing a permanent opening for Lake Illawarra, and this is the first stage of the works to make that a reality,” Mr Macdonald said.

 “Up to 50,000 tonnes of rock is required to build the two breakwaters, which will be spaced 90-metres apart and extend to around 200-metres offshore. The contractor will sort rock into different sizes, and place the rock in accordance with design cross-sections. 

 “The rock work contract also involves a reduction in width of the existing gaps in the southern training wall. This will improve the movement of tidal flows within the channel.”

 Minister Campbell said once the breakwaters are substantially complete, dredging of the entrance channel will begin.

 “About 200,000 cubic metres of sand will be removed to form the channel, which will be transferred to Warilla beach,” Mr Campbell said.

 “This will provide an additional buffer against potential storm damage to the existing sea wall, and properties fronting Little Lake Crescent. A bird roosting island will also be formed over the shoals.

 “I am pleased the Iemma Government is delivering on its commitment to provide a permanent opening for the lake, a benefit I and my fellow Illawarra MPs have argued for.”

Member for Illawarra Marianne Saliba said the State Government, along with Wollongong and Shellharbour councils, had provided $4 million of total funding for the project.

 “As well as improving the health of the lake, the foreshore amenity of the entrance area will also be greatly enhanced,” Ms Saliba said.

 “A Community Liaison Group has been established by the Lake Illawarra Authority (LIA) to provide information on work progress and discuss construction activities. 

 “The group includes local residents, along with representatives from businesses at Windang, the Save Lake Illawarra Action Group (SLIAG), commercial fishers, Windang and Warilla Surf Life Saving clubs, and the Illawarra Bird Observers Club.

 “The group is expected to meet monthly, with the first meeting to be held prior to work commencing.”

Member for Wollongong, Noreen Hay, said the $2 million State Government commitment to lake opening works came on top of $962,000 announced in February for important studies and rehabilitation works.

"The rehabilitation grant will be used to protect the environmental well-being of Lake Illawarra by ensuring sustainable usage through environmental improvement and balanced management,” Ms Hay said.

 “Illawarra residents have lobbied for the work on the lake, and I am delighted to see this project about to begin.”

 The project should be completed by the end of 2007.