Bulldozers move in on beach

Bulldozers have moved in on Ettalong beach for the first stage of works on the Ettalong Beach plan of management.

Gosford Council project officer Mr Dave Medcalf said that since getting the plan approved by the Minister for Lands, council had provided some funding to begin clearing work on the foreshore.

Mr Medcalf said council had cleared vegetation from two proposed viewing deck areas, and had blocked off the toilet at the eastern end of the foreshore three weeks ago.

He said the toilet blocks would be demolished in the near future to allow for a third viewing area.

"The removal of the vegetation has provided some very good viewing areas for the public," Mr Medcalf said.

"Part of the process will include keeping vegetation for the dune area.

"We have fenced off the beach area, between where the beach and the dune area starts.

"In the next few weeks we will construct more fencing to keep the public out."

Mr Medcalf said the viewing decks would be developed over time.

He also stated that in the near future, council would mulch the sand, which would then be levelled off to control the sand from moving.

He also stated that a silt fence had been provided at the back of the beach.

Mr Medcalf also noted that council had recently submitted a regional partnership grant application, in the hope of securing some more money for the redevelopment.

Lyle Stone, 7 Mar 2008 Interviewee: Dave Medcalf, Gosford Council