Dune plan in tatters

The Ettalong Beach Dune Management Plan appears to be in tatters, after a letter from the Minister of Lands Mr Tony Kelly has suggested that Gosford Council is within its rights not to follow the plan's requirements.

Critics are now asking whether the entire Ettalong Beach Foreshore Plan of Management can be similarly "ignored", despite negotiations and community consultation which took more than 10 years to see its adoption.

Mr Kelly wrote to Member for Gosford Ms Marie Andrews, following her representations on behalf of Ms Margaret Lund of Woy Woy Bay.

Mr Kelly stated that the department's assessment "identified that vegetation removal beyond that specified in the plan has occurred in part".

"However, this appears to be a direct result of a fire set by vandals in circumstances beyond council's control.

"In the interests of health and safety, the toilet block and burned vegetation were cleared using machinery.

"This decision was taken to avoid unnecessary exposure of staff to hazards such as broken glass and used syringes that were evident on the site.

"Council has since made significant efforts to restore the site including mulching and planting of some advanced trees and numerous ground cover plants.

"Council advises that it would have been ideal to use site-sourced mulch as specified in the Plan of Management, but this opportunity was lost due to the fire.

"I am advised also that restoration and maintenance works to date have utilised the services of qualified persons wherever possible and there has been some community engagement through local schools to assist with planting."

"While this work has not involved the preferred Bradley Method, it would not have been suitable given the conditions on site," Mr Kelly stated.

Ms Lund who is a volunteer with the Ettalong Dunecare group said that the Council had not followed the plan.

It had removed more vegetation than specified, had used machinery rather than hand tools as specified, and had not used suitable mulch that was available.

She said that the council had not sought advice from appropriately-qualified people and that the methods used were not according to the plan.

"Heavy machinery is very damaging and completely untenable to be used on such a delicate system," she said.

"The area could have been hand raked with less damage.

"The fact is that the desire was for the entire area to be flattened."

Ms Lund said up to 100 metres of land was "flattened" by bulldozers, despite the Plan of Management specifying that only 20 to 30 metres could be levelled.

She said council "admitted this".

"What is the value of a plan if in the end it is not followed and the council can do what it likes?

"Why did we go through a process taking many years, to come up with a suitable Foreshore Plan of Management for the Ettalong Beach if in reality it can be ignored?"

Letter, 23 Oct 2008 Minister for Lands, Tony Kelly Email, 7 Nov 2008 Margaret Lund, Woy Woy Bay