Residents call for consultation

Patonga residents are calling for better consultation by Gosford Council over the fencing of dune vegetation.

Patonga resident Ms Margaret Pomeranz has written to residents in the area, asking them to write to council, objecting to the dune area being "enclosed and planted with supposedly suitable species".

"There are a range of plans being developed for Patonga without adequate consultation with owners or residents," she said.

Patonga artist Ms Jocelyn Maughan said that some Patonga residents had disagreements with council's bush-care department.

Ms Maughan said that, with many projects in need of attention at Patonga, residents were "feeling there is insufficient communication from council and they are being left out of the plans".

"The dunes along Brisk Bay have been planted by council with low-growing natives.

"Over the last four years, some areas have been sectioned off with wire strands and low posts to protect the plantings and allowing pathways to the beach," Ms Maughan said.

"While many residents think it is a good idea to preserve the dunes, especially with the possibility of global warming and rising sea levels predicted; obviously there are other Patongans who are very, very angry because last week someone attacked the wire fencing with bolt-cutters leaving metres of cut wire strewn amongst the vegetation."

Ms Maughan said the action "seems like vandalism".

Ms Pomeranz asked residents to sign a letter to the council.

"The dunes themselves have been stable for many years," the letter stated.

"The beach obviously has not.

"The dune ridge on the beach changes shape according to the tides and depending on the storms and currents that we experience.

"We vigorously object to the dune area of the beach being enclosed and planted with supposedly suitable species.

"The vegetation on the beach comprises natural grasses, pig-face, alyssum, gazanias and coreopsis, which, while we believe it is an introduced species, offers dwellers in Patonga and visitors a beautiful experience when it is in flower at the beginning of summer.

"We insist that the council makes available to residents of Patonga expert evidence from botanists, beach vegetation specialists and environmentalists which supports the need for enclosure and replanting of the beach.

"We intend getting our own expert advice on this matter and request that no further action be taken by council until this issue has been thoroughly investigated and researched.

"It should be noted that many of us never received the 'hand-delivered' survey which solicited support for, but gave no opportunity to object to, protective dune fencing at Patonga Beach.

"Many of us believe that to preserve what we love about this place we have to become more active as a community."

Ms Pomeranz urged residents to join the Progress Association because it was "the one body that exists that can represent us to council".

"As a group we are not going to agree on every issue," Ms Pomeranz said.

"But at least with the Progress Association, there is a chance for healthy debate and for us to obtain accurate information."

Press release, 28 Apr 2007 Margaret Pomeranz, Patonga Media statement, 29 Apr 2007 Jocelyn Maughan, Patonga Bakehouse Gallery