Road access forum held at Pearl Beach

A forum on road access to Pearl Beach has been arranged by the Pearl Beach Progress Association.

Held over the weekend, it was to be addressed by council's Manager of Engineering Services Mr John Cragg, together with project engineer Mr Theo Stephanou.

It was held to brief Pearl Beach residents on the results of Council's geotechnical test.

Pearl Beach-Patonga Chamber of Commerce media officer Ms Rosemary Ruthven said council had "stepped up to the plate", by providing falling rock signs on the southern side of Patonga Dr along with slope-stability remediation.

Ms Ruthven said council had also commissioned assessments of the stability of Pearl Beach Dr.

"Since 2003, Pearl Beach residents have tirelessly lobbied Gosford Council to assess and repair the three access roads into their village," Ms Ruthven said.

"Many sections of Mt Ettalong Rd, Patonga Dr and Pearl Beach Dr are currently unstable; problems ranging from pot holes and rock falls, to landslides and subsidence.

"Being the only viable means of entering and exiting Pearl Beach, residents are well aware they are at serious risk should any one of these roads suffer a major road collapse.

"Until recently, only those repairs council perceived as immediate 'issues of concern' were undertaken.

"This piecemeal approach increasingly worried the community."

Pearl Beach resident Kay Williams has told councillors: "Unless a comprehensive understanding of the magnitude of the problem is obtained, through adequate assessment, there will not be an adequate, planned solution."

Press release, 4 Jul 2007 Rosemary Ruthven, Patonga-Pearl Beach Chamber of Commerce