Chamber welcomes toilet demolition

The Peninsula Chamber of Commerce Mainstreet co-ordinator Ms Debra Wales has welcomed the demolition of the old toilet block at the end of Picnic Parade, Ettalong Beach, after a "long battle" to have the Ettalong Beach Foreshore Masterplan adopted and implemented by Gosford Council.

"Finally after eight years of negotiations with the Council, we are ecstatic to see the demolition of the toilet block which will enable the third viewing platform to be constructed at the end of Picnic Parade," Ms Wales said.

"The removal of the toilets has now opened up the beautiful vistas over Brisbane Water as you look down Picnic Parade.

"This was a key element in the Foreshore Masterplan aimed at restoring view lines and access to the Ettalong Beach waterfornt.

"This work now sees all three viewing platform areas cleared for the ongoing construction of the timber and steel structures in the coming months.

"The Ettalong Beach business and local community should feel very pleased that the works have now commenced after such a long succession of meetings, plans and public submissions."

Ms Wales said that the upgrade of the foreshore originated from public meetings held in 1995 from which plans were subsequently included in the council's 1998 Financial Strategy for the Ettalong Beach town centre.

"Part of the funding for the foreshore works has come from left over funds from the 1998 Financial Strategy which the Chamber lobbied to have allocated to the current works," Ms Wales said.

"An amount of $270,000 has been allocated which, coupled with the $300,000 contribution from the Ettalong Beach Club, will enable much of the first stage of the upgrade to be completed.

"Gosford Council has also applied for Regional Partnerships funding through the Federal Government in the hope of dollar-for-dollar matching funds."

Press release, 23 Mar 2008 Debra Wales, Peninsula Chamber of Commerce