Dredging stalemate continues

A stalemate over dredging at the entrance to Brisbane Water seems no closer to resolution as the Palm Beach Ferry Service has announced it may have to stop its service between Ettalong and Palm Beach by December.

Gosford Council and the State Government seem no closer to agreement with the Council last week restating its position that the work is a State Government responsibility.

It has called on the State Government to expedite the dredging.

"The responsibility for implementing the dredging of the entrance channel lies with the State Government," said Gosford Council's director of city services Mr Stephen Glen.

"The State Government is well aware that the seabed at this location is constantly changing and it should be prepared to undertake maintenance works to ensure that the channel remains safe and navigable at all times.

"Council has an interest in representing the community in ensuring that the entrance to Brisbane Water is navigable.

"An unobstructed entrance to Brisbane Water is essential to the functioning of the vital ferry service and the Central Coast community generally.

"Without this service the ferry patrons would be required to utilise other State Government infrastructure such as the already overcrowded rail system and the F3 Freeway.

In January last year, council alerted the Department of Lands to the situation at channels around the Ettalong Point sand shoal.

Council representatives met with Lands Minister Tony Kelly to seek assistance in prioritising the dredging of the shoal.

According to Mr Glen, after the meeting with the Mr Kelly, it was expected by council that dredging of the channel would be carried out by November last year at a cost of $300,000.

Mr Kelly allocated $150,000 to the project on the condition that council match the funding.

However, a council-funded report found the cost of dredging would be closer to $500,000.

In January this year, council stated in its agenda that the dredging of Ettalong Point Shoal was delayed until February, due to the availability of funds and a dredge.

In March, council called for the dredging of the channel to be "urgently undertaken by the State Government", claiming that "the cost implications of an ongoing dredging program are considerable and beyond council's resources".

Council then considered allocating $250,000, if the State Government could match the figure, but instead called on the State Government to fund the entire cost of the dredging.

"Even though Gosford Council has no jurisdiction over this body of water, council has assisted the State Government in determining the extent of the dredging required, Mr Glen said.

"At the end of the day, the decision to dredge the channel and the provision of the necessary funding rests with the State Government.

"Council urges the Member for Gosford Marie Andrews to support the community's request to the State Government to re-establish and maintain a safe and navigable entrance to Brisbane Water, and to work with her Government colleagues in arranging the dredging as soon as possible."

The Palm Beach Ferry Service was unavailable for comment at the time Peninsula News went to print.

Press release, 1 Aug 2008 Stephen Glen, Gosford Council Clare Graham, 1 Aug 2008