Hardys Bay plan may go public

A draft Hardys Bay Foreshore Masterplan is expected to be placed on public exhibition on October 2, following a recommendation from Gosford Council officers.

Officers have also recommended that public comments and comment from the Department of Lands be reported to council.

Council officers stated that there had been "considerable public interest and conjecture" surrounding possible improvements to the whole precinct, in particular the Araluen Dr Reserve.

"It is proposed to exhibit several alternative treatment options as these have been raised in preliminary submissions," council officers stated.

The precinct referred to in the draft master plan includes the area of Crown Reserve and Araluen Dr road reserve from Heath Rd in the south to Hardys Bay Parade in the north.

The Hardys Bay foreshore is predominately Crown Reserve, held by the Department of Lands, and is zoned 6 (a) Open Space (Recreation).

Council officers stated that the development of the draft masterplan had been the subject of a number of representations from groups and individuals within the local community who had expressed a "keen interest" in upgrading parking and stormwater drainage, the provision of a shared footpath-cycleway and the installation of a children's playground.

"Also suggested is the grading and provision of top dressing on the foreshore park, refurbishment of a section of the rock lined seawall, the provision of an access track to the beach, provision of native trees and the introduction of a 40km/h speed limit in the precinct," officers stated.

The masterplan has drafted with reference to the Bouddi Group, Hardy Bay Residents Group, local resident suggestions, council staff suggestions, Killcare Development Control Plan DCP159 (Character) requirements and Hardys Bay Development Control Plan DCP159 (Character) requirements.

Funds have not been allocated to implement the plan, but officers stated that various elements of the plan qualify for funding.

Possible sources include the footpath program, traffic facilities program, the capital works program and cycleway program.

A public meeting will be held to provide information about the masterplan.

Council agenda SF.40, 2 Oct 2007