Ferry threat is beat-up

Let's get a bit of sanity into the Palm Beach Ferry argument fueled by the Ettalong Beach Business Group.

The channel at Ettalong is like the "shifting sands of the Sahara".

The sandbar changes month-to-month, year-to-year and has always been an issue in relation to the depth of water available for vessels coming into Brisbane Water.

Because of the tides and the shifting nature of the sand, there will always be periods where the draft available to the Palm Beach Ferry will be less than other times.

And the NSW State Government has recognised for some time the ongoing need to provide funds for the dredging of the channel.

In reality, there is little risk of the Palm Beach Ferry ceasing to operate completely.

There may be the odd time at low tide when the ferry and any other craft will bump the bottom because of the lack of water depth.

For the many years I have lived on the Peninsula, this has always been the case and it seems a beat-up to suggest that the ferry service will cease to operate.

And if it did, I can guarantee there will be another operator more than willing to step into those highly successful shoes.

I might add that this problem was clearly identified and recognised by the government during our hyrdrosurvey works carried out by Fast Ships Ltd during the EIS process for the high speed ferry.

This survey work and other studies available to council had prompted the NSW Government to make previous commitments to dredging.

So let's stop the hype and make sure that Gosford Council accepts the State Government's 50 per cent funding offer and simply get on with the job of dredging the channel.

Debra Wales, Umina Beach