Delay could damage, warns Hale

Central Coast Tourism chair and Central Coast First candidate Cr Peter Hale has warned of the damage the State Government could cause to the Central Coast tourism industry by delaying dredging of the Ettalong channel.

"Putting the responsibility on council is like asking us to fix the F3," Cr Hale said.

"It's typical of [the State] Government to hope that council will bail them out.

"After 15 years of trying to get an operator to run whale watching tours from Ettalong, this year could be the attraction's first and last year.

"Ettalong has been promoted as whale dreaming country - that's what the sign says as you come into town.

"The State Government is about as fast as a beached whale in taking action and it's costing the Central Coast.

"It's not just the financial loss of the service and all the dead money spent on promoting whale watching.

"The dangerous conditions affect every fisherman and local recreational boater who navigates the point.

"If Marie Andrews can get a high school built in Kariong, surely she can get the State Government to accept its responsibility and get this channel cleared."

Cr Hale said the ferry carried 400,000 tourists and commuters a year and access to the channel is vital for tourism attractions.

Press release, 4 Aug 2008 Peter Hale, Central Coast First