Bouddi Group makes upgrade plans

A collaboration of organisations in the Bouddi area called The Bouddi Group has submitted a proposal to Gosford Council to upgrade of the Hardys Bay Foreshore Precinct.

The group comprises the Pretty Beach, Wagstaffe and District Progress Association, Killcare-Wagstaffe Trust, the Bouddi Society and Killcare Business Forum.

It presented a plan to Gosford Council on February 1 to upgrade Hardys Bay Foreshore Precinct in Araluen Dr from Killcare Rd to Heath Rd, said progress association president Mr Richard Harper.

"The Director of City Services spoke very favourably of the submission which also focused on road safety, traffic and parking in the vicinity of the Killcare Rd commercial area."

Mr Harper said the group was told that a "family-friendly" area with a children's playground at the south end of Araluen Dr that is incorporated in the plan is consistent with council's new playground program."

Mr Harper said that the organizations formed the coalition The Bouddi Group about two years ago, to consider their mutual concerns at "the stress being applied to the area as a result of increasing population, both permanent and transitory on the natural and beautiful environment".

Mr Harper said examples of the concerns that were raised and addressed in the plan were lack of toilets in a family friendly environment; children on bikes, people in wheel chairs and people pushing prams having to share the road with cars; and general traffic, parking and pedestrian safety issues.

Mr Harper said that the Bouddi Group took the view that any alterations and additions in the area should be tied into a master plan.

"This led to the collation of data, meetings and response sheets with our combined membership spread over the 1400 dwellings in the entire area," Mr Harper said.

"This resulted in the first and subsequent draft plans that were used to discuss proposals with groups including Araluen Dr residents, the Pretty Beach School, Killcare Rural Fire Brigade, Killcare Surf Club and Hardys Bay Residents Group."

The Bouddi Group has now asked council to support in the "amplification and implementation" of the proposed upgrading of part of the Hardys Bay Foreshore Precinct.

Press release, 9 Feb 2007 Richard Harper, Pretty Beach- Wagstaffe Progress Association