Council submits foreshore plans

Gosford Council has resolved to submit its revised Ettalong Beach Reserve Plan of Management and Ettalong Beach Dune Management Plan to The Department of Lands for its review for adoption.

Funding options for foreshore stabilisation works adjacent to Lance Webb Reserve will also be investigated as a high priority and a report sent back to council on this matter.

Supporters both for and against the motion appeared at council's meeting on Tuesday, August 14, to debate the matter.

Those in favour of the proposal held up placards reading "Our Beach is For Everyone" and "We Want Our Beach Back".

Long time activist for the protection of the Ettalong dunes Ms Margaret Lund spoke against the proposal, stating that council needed to find "immediate funding" to perform sand replenishment.

"The Pattison and Britton report recommends regular sand replenishment in this area," Ms Lund said.

"The Department of Land agrees, and states that it is 'overdue'.

"You can not progress without providing immediate funding for this requirement."

Ms Lund also called for studies for foreshore stabilisation by an independent expert, referencing the storms of June 8.

"These plans are a sham."

Cr Terri Latella spoke against the plan also, saying it provided "no surety for the prioritization of the Lance Webb reserve".

"Because of that lack of surety, I will not support the motion," Cr Latella said.

Cr Latella said she also spoke against the plan as she felt it was important to have a coastal engineer look at all of the council's coastal foreshore area.

"I wanted to see that coastal engineer work with council to ensure areas are protected from beach erosion."

Cr Latella said she did not wish to "take the beach area away from the community", but stressed the need to look at natural forces such as climate change.

"We need to plan for the future."

Cr Trevor Drake said it was time to move the plans forward.

"I have heard what Margaret Lund said, and I'm quite aware of the erosion," Cr Drake said.

"Plans (for the site) date back to the mid-90s.

"Plans have been drawn up and proposals made, and I think it is time we moved this forward.

"Move it forward so other investigations can be made."

Cr Drake acknowledged that funding for work near Lance Webb Reserve was a problem, and also noted a ban on offshore sand-mining as a possible hurdle to sand replenishment in the area.

"I believe the only way to move this forward is to vote in the affirmative."

Council agenda CIT.22, 14 Aug 2007