Chamber welcomes ferry lease

Peninsula Chamber of Commerce has welcomed the lease of land at Ettalong for the fast ferry.

"The fast ferry operator, Fast Ships Ltd, had applied to Gosford Council for a lease on the Ettalong Beach foreshore for shore based infrastructure to compliment the berthing facility," said Chamber president Matthew Wales.

"The land-based lease was approved by Council after some debate about the amount of land required for the facility.

"It is the Chamber’s understanding that to accommodate the terminal building, public amenities, ticketing facilities and bus interchange, an area of land from the existing Bangalow St toilet block north to the existing car park is required.

"This lease area will be in addition to the sub-lease area already approved by Council for the actual wharf and jetty.

"Several Councillors raised concerns at Council’s confidential meeting that the amount of land was excessive and some members of the gallery argued that the lease should not be granted at all."

"From the Chamber’s perspective, Gosford Council has acted with great foresight.

"It has approved the high speed ferry project and resolved to provide adequate lease areas for the associated infrastructure.

"The fast ferry company is likely to invest over $4 million over the next 12 months into the berthing facility and transport interchange which is vital for the success of the project.

"In response to the concerns of those at the Council meeting, the company had agreed to a slight reduction in the lease area by deleting the area south of the existing toilet block at the end of Bangalow St.

"The company also agreed that public access along the foreshore would not be impeded as a result of the lease."

Mr Wales said that Council approval of the lease area should now pave the way for the finalisation of the transport interchange plans and berthing structure.

An application would now need to be made by the fast ferry operator for the land-based facilities in conjunction with a construction certificate for the wharf and jetty.

"The importance of the berthing facility and transport interchange cannot be understated," said Mr Wales.

"These are important community assets that will provide valuable employment and investment opportunities for the Peninsula.

"It is to Gosford Council’s credit that they have stuck to the task of facilitating the approval process so that the community will ultimately enjoy the high speed ferry service to Sydney."