Strategy funds foreshore works and management

Six projects have been identified for Peninsula if a rate rise proceeds to fund the Civic Infrastructure Strategy.

The projects are the Ettalong Beach Foreshore Enhancement, the Umina Beach Coastal Walkway, the implementation of a skate park strategy, the Blackwall Mountain plan of management, the Broken Bay Beaches plan of management and the Everglades Lagoon plan of management.

The Ettalong Beach foreshore enhancement would provide ramps and viewing decks to ensure "access to and views of the beach and Broken Bay" while "maintaining and reinforcing sand dunes".

Council stated that the project could generate tourist investment and stimulate further growth of Ettalong and the wider Peninsula.

Council said indications were the project would be completed by 2009.

The Umina Beach Coastal Walkway would include scaling of Mt Ettalong opposite the foreshore to minimise the risk of falling rocks, construction of concrete pathways on approaches to the headland and construction of a walkway structure around the headland.

Council stated that indications were the project would be completed by 2011.

Under the strategy the Peninsula would receive two skate park facilities, with council indicating that the project would be completed by 2013, under the skate park strategy.

The implementation of the Blackwall Mountain Plan of Management would involve upgrading tracks, upgrading picnic areas and a lookout, the installation of interpretive signage, development of interpretive materials and review of the plan of management.

Council said indications were that stage one of the implementation would be completed by 2013, with further stages to be funded under its capital works program.

The Broken Bay beaches plan of management would cover Putty Beach, Killcare Beach, Umina Beach, Ocean Beach, Pearl Beach and Patonga Beach.

The plan would involve the repair and maintenance of vegetation, the removal of weeds, regular monitoring of beach processes, maintenance and repair of drainage outlets, a complete revision of the plan of management and the repair and maintenance of the Pearl Beach rock pool.

Council said indications were that the implementation of stage one of the plan would be completed by 2011, with further stages to be funded under its capital works program.

The Everglades Lagoon plan of management woud involve alligator weed control, bush regeneration, revegetation, signage, access formalisation, a community education program, "community involvement" and interpretive signage.

Council said indications were that the project would be completed by 2010.

Four other projects were considered but missed out on funding under the strategy.

They were the Woy Woy waterfront development, Umina Beach streetscape improvements stages four and five, Peninsula Theatre stage 2 and a Umina Library upgrade.

The Woy Woy waterfront development would be to "develop and enhance the public and private berthing facilities at the Woy Woy waterfront as well as providing additional foreshore amenities including a new promenade and footpath/cycleway.

The project would involve a new pontoon ferry wharf, new public mooring wharves, a new commercial wharf, a new waterfront promenade and a footpath and cycleway between Brisbane Water Dr and the Brick Wharf Rd footpath and cycleway.

The Umina Beach CBD streetscape improvements stages four and five would involve the reconstruction and landscaping of Umina Beach CBD streets including West St, Trafalgar Ave and Bullion St.

Stage two works at Peninsula Theatre would "seek to further develop the...threatre into a performing arts hub through the construction of an additional wing to the east of the existing theatre to incorporate additional facilities".

The Umina Library upgrade would see the present library demolished and a new 700 square metre library built in its place, similar to the Kincumber library design.

Other region-wide projects would also involve the Peninsula indirectly.

Press release, 6 March 2007 Scott MacKillop, Brilliant Logic Website, 6 March 2007 Gosford Council