Get on with dredging, says Chamber

The new Gosford Council should get on with dredging the Ettalong channel, according to Peninsula Chamber of Commerce president Mr Matthew Wales.

Mr Wales has called on the new Gosford Councillors to "act quickly" on the dredging of the Ettalong Beach channel.

"We're all hearing about the new spirit of cooperation from the politicians in the press," Mr Wales said.

"The Chamber wants to see that cooperation in action with the dredging of the Ettalong Beach channel.

"We already have a firm commitment from State Member for Gosford Marie Andrews to contribute $250,000 to the cost of the dredging works.

"The business community feels that council needs to come to the party and fund their share of the work.

Mr Wales said he believed there was "little prospect" of the dredging being done by Christmas.

"We need to get on with the tender process without further delay so that we don't lose another six months procrastinating over who pays for the work," Mr Wales said.

"While the chamber has been assured by NSW Maritime that the channel is safe and navigatable, the business community is still concerned that further delays will affect both commercial and private boating operators over the summer months.

"What is really important in the chamber's view is that council and the State Government implement a rolling program of periodic dredging based on recurrence funding so that the community can be assured that the channel will be regularly maintained.

"Both the council and State Government should immediately look at ways of ensuring that adequate funds are available for the dredging work every five years."

Press release, 26 Sep 2008 Matthew Wales, Peninsula Chamber of Commerce