WORK crews will descend on North Stockton beach to remove buried waste that threatened to create a pollution hazard due to coastal erosion.

Minister for Water, Property and Housing Melinda Pavey said about 3,500 cubic meters of waste will be removed near Corroba Oval across an area of about 30 meters by 15 meters.

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“This work will protect North Stockton’s coastline after erosion threatened to expose buried waste from a former City of Newcastle landfill site,” Mrs Pavey said.

“Our priority is to ensure the environment and sea life are protected and that the area can be safely rehabilitated for future community use.”

The excavation work follows installation of a temporary sandbag seawall in September to secure the site while planning got underway to remove the waste.

Barrier fencing has been erected and members of the public advised not to enter the area while work is underway.

“Excavators will dig out the waste which will be tested and then taken away to Summerhill Waste Management Centre,” Mrs Pavey said.

“Once the site is assessed as cleared it will be backfilled with sand and restored to its natural state.”

The work is being undertaken by the Department of Planning, Industry and Environment – Crown Lands and the Soil Conservation Service with support from Hunter Water and the Environment Protection Authority (EPA).

Consultations have occurred with City of Newcastle and the Worimi and Karuah Local Aboriginal Land Councils.