Chamber criticises dredging decision

Peninsula Chamber of Commerce has criticised Gosford Council for its refusal to fund dredging of the Ettalong Channel.

Chamber president Mr Matthew Wales has expressed his "bitter disappointment" at the council's decision, claiming council gave priority to other areas.

"Once again the Peninsula gets a raw deal with Mayor Chris Holstein using his casting vote to dump the dredging of the channel," Mr Wales said.

"Peninsula businesses and Palm Beach Ferries have right to feel betrayed by this decision which now places the State Government's $250,000 grant in jeopardy.

"It seems that important infrastructure works on the Peninsula take a back seat whilst Mayor Chris Holstein is happy to use his casting vote on the same night to give Terrigal Trojans Rugby Club another $127,000 for their club house.

"Try telling Ettalong Beach businesses and Peninsula residents that rugby at Terrigal is more important than the safety of passengers, school kids and workers trying to get across the sand bar at Ettalong Point."

At its meeting on November 11, council resolved to approve grant funding to the Terrigal Trojans Rugby Club of more than $127,000 towards its club house and amenities block.

Council offered a lease of premises at Terrigal Haven and provided a loan of $700,000 for the rugby club to build the premises which was completed in 2006.

The Trojan club claimed additional costs were incurred by following council's specific demands to construct the facility and requested they be reimbursed with $200,000 to cover these additional costs.

The amount of $200,000 was rejected and instead a grant of $127,185 was approved.

This is in addition to a council contribution of $300,000 already granted to the club.

Greens councillors Terri Latella and Peter Freewater were joined by Labor councillors Jim Macfadyen and Vicki Scott in refusing another grant to the Terrigal Trojan Rugby Club.

Cr Scott said it was unfair to other communities in the Gosford LGA to approve the funds when other council facilities were below standard.

However, Liberal councilors Jeff Strickson, Chris Burke and Chris Holstein supported the funding along with independent councillor Craig Doyle.

Cr Holstein used his casting vote to approve the funds.

"The chamber is disappointed that the Liberal councillors have voted in a block to refuse funding for the dredging when clearly the council's senior engineering staff considered it vital for the council to contribute to the works," Mr Wales said.

"The fact of the matter is that Gosford Council has always in the past been prepared to come to a cost sharing arrangement with the NSW State Government on matters such as dredging, flood mitigation and road works where it is clear that the interests of the community are paramount."

Mr Wales said the chamber has called on Gosford Council to reconsider its decision particularly in light of the vital importance of the Brisbane Water waterways for commercial and recreational vessels.

"With over 20,000 people attending the Peninsula Chamber's Brisbane Water Oyster Festival on the weekend, it is clear that our waterways which support the oyster and fishing industry are vitally important and need to be maintained for the health of Brisbane Water," Mr Wales said.

"Dredging is a key part of that process so as to maintain the effective flushing of the estuary.

"I hope those who voted against funding the works put politics aside and work in cooperation with the NSW State Government and get on with the job."

Press release, 11 Nov 2008 Matthew Wales, Peninsula Chamber of Commerce Council agenda SF.S43, 11 Nov 2008