Call for action at Pearl Beach

Pearl Beach Progress Association has called on Gosford Council to address the risk of a rock fall and road collapse along Pearl Beach Dr, Pearl Beach.

It has been more than a year since Gosford Council commissioned a report on Pearl Beach Dr, from Shirley Consulting Engineers, according to association president Ms Kay Williams.

The report recommended to council it be advised of the risks posed to the private properties in Jade Place, Pearl Beach, and recommended an independent risk assessment be carried out as part of a risk reduction program in Pearl Beach Dr.

The cost for the repair work along Pearl Beach Dr was estimated by Shirley Consulting Engineers at more than $733,000.

Ms Williams said she was frustrated by council's lack of commitment to stabilising the area along Pearl Beach Dr.

"It is now five years since the residents of Pearl Beach began petitioning Gosford Council to repair our only access road," Ms Williams said.

"It is nearly two years since council received formal consultant's advice about the dangers posed by our only access road, and Federal and State funding to do something about it was forthcoming.

"Council has recently put in place a row of concrete barriers in front of a cliff of mud, trees and rocks which threatens to drop down onto the road, just above the last hairpin bend into Pearl Beach.

"Above this unstable edifice is a huge rock, many metres wide.

"If it falls to the road the barriers will not support it or protect the motorists.

"One wonders how much longer we will be forced to wait and whether our roads can hold up much longer.

"You can see the instability of one of several similar culverts under Pearl Beach Dr propped up years ago by a sleeper.

"This is the same neglect which has brought about closure of roads at Somersby and Woy Woy Rd when repairs were not completed."

Peninsula community activist Mr Edward James said he photographed several areas along Pearl Beach Rd that are of "grave concern" to residents.

"These photos show a bulkhead on the outfall side of the under road drain pipe which starts in the pit just down the hill a few meters from the collapsing rock batter," Mr James said.

"The photos are self explanatory.

"The bulkhead is tilting over a bit, due to pressure from the collapsing road.

"What is more of a worry, I was able to discover by moving some weeds and leaf litter, that at some point several years ago someone has placed a hardwood post in position to help hold up the collapsing brickwork.

"This is a repeat of the acro-prop I found holding up the Central Coast Highway at Kariong Hill. "The post was almost buried.

"And the cracking is really obvious and so is the reason for it: The road has been spreading out as it is crushed down with bigger and bigger loads as the town grows."

Peninsula News had not received comment from Gosford Council at the time of printing.

Email, 30 Jul 2008 Kay Williams, Pearl Beach Progress Association Clare Graham, 1 Aug 2008 Interview: Edward James