Iemma raises revenue, but fails to pay

The Palm Beach/Ettalong/Wagstaff ferry-people indicate that they will have to cease operations by next Christmas.

This is because of the narrowing of the only entrance to Brisbane Water at Ettalong. With a 10 metre wide vessel coming at you in a 12 metre wide channel you would not want to be there.

This is yet another failure of the Iemma Government and its local state member Marie Andrews.

The dredging of the channel has been imperative for years yet still the responsible body, the Iemma Government, continues to drag its feet.

As with situations like the Pacific Highway washaway at Piles Creek, they continue to attempt to shift the financial responsibility to Gosford Council, at least in substantial part.

Clearly the Iemma Government is happy to take all the revenue generated on Brisbane Water from boat registration and licence fees, mooring fees and jetty PO fees, yet will not accept its full responsibility for the dredging.

Gosford Council on the other hand derive little revenue from the waterways, but have the responsibility to provide and maintain the shoreline, public jetties and boat ramps (of which there are over 50).

Get to work Ms Andrews and convince your government to accept their responsibility.

Ron Jackson, Ettalong Beach