Ettalong - ratepayers to pick up the pieces

It is interesting to see that Gosford Council can ask for a rate rise but at the same time find the money to employ a public relations firm Brilliant Logic to promote their plans to the public.

Ettalong Beach is top of the agenda.

Even the Oyster Festival has been moved there.

Woy Woy with its railway station and shopping centres is to encompass most of the enlarging population but its name is no longer wanted for the Peninsula.

Obviously, the businesses of Woy Woy might as well hang up their hats, for everything will be happening at Ettalong.

If Council gets its way, Ettalong will comprise an artificial beach in front of the Outrigger Resort, the business centre will have been re-located to the new ferry precinct and the foreshore from Kourung St to Beach St will be concreted and covered with tourist traps, bus turning area and fuel storage facilities.

In other words, it will be an excessive over-development with the inevitable litter and perhaps other undesirables and no sign of a beach.

If all of this is suddenly overcome by the effects of climate change, no worries.

We the ratepayers will be there as usual to pick up the pieces and pay.

No wonder Gosford Council wants a rate rise.

My experience tells me that Council rarely listens to the community.

It goes through the hoops as a PR exercise.

They have their own agenda and woe betide anyone who gets in the way.

Democracy is in a sad state.

Margaret Lund Woy Woy