Mayor defeats dredging

Gosford Mayor Cr Chris Holstein used his casting vote in favour of a motion to defer dredging of Ettalong channel.

The council's director of city services Mr Stephen Glen recommended the work be carried out.

Mr Glen recommended council contribute the one-off sum of $250,000 to the Department of Lands on the understanding the design and management of the project would be the department's responsibility.

A council report stated that, despite the advice provided to council that the responsibility to maintain safe navigable waterways rested with the Minister for Lands via an agreement with the Minister for Ports and Waterways, "there is an expectation in the community that council has the responsibility to contribute towards the cost of the proposed dredging".

Liberal councillors Chris Holstein, Jeff Strickson and Chris Burke were joined by independent Cr Craig Doyle at council's meeting on November 11 to defer the dredging, claiming the cost was not council's responsibility.

Cr Holstein said, if the channel were to be closed, ratepayers would not see council workers "in their fluoro vests and holding a go-stop sign" on a boat to close down the channel.

"It would be the State Government which would be the one responsible for closing down the channel, not council," Cr Holstein said.

"This is another example of the cost-shifting that continues to come from the State Government.

"If we go ahead and spend $250,000 on the dredging which council responsibility will we have to sacrifice?

"We must first spend adequate funds on our own responsibilities then go ahead and spend $250,000 to dredge.

"If we had adequate funds for dredging there would be no problem, but we don't.

"Spending $250,000 on a State Government responsibility will have a major impact on a range of council's programs and activities."

Cr Doyle said he refused to "pick up the tab" for the State Government.

"I support dredging but not for our ratepayers to pay for it.

"Other council's around the state do not have to contribute anything to dredging so why are we being targeted?"

Council resolved to continue to monitor the channel's width and depth alongside the NSW Waterways Authority and be advised of any changes immediately.

In addition, council will seek Waterways' support in monitoring vessels fishing and mooring within the channel and request for them to be moved on.

It was also resolved that council reiterate its position to the State Government that council is not responsible for the funding of the dredging.

Cr Peter Freewater, who opposed the motion, said council was "flogging a dead horse by persisting with full State Government funding".

Greens councillors Peter Freewater and Terri Latella voted with Labor councillors Jim Macfadyen and Vicki Scott against the motion.

"I don't believe we should fork out the money to the State Government but what is important here are people's lives," Cr Latella said.

"I cannot see how we can put money over people's safety.

"We have taken three steps forward in being offered to contribute 50 per cent and taken another four steps back in refusing to pay.

"We need to make a commitment to the community and ensure people's lives are not in danger."

Cr Macfadyen said he feared the State Government would withdraw its $250,000 funding contribution if they continued to reject the offer.

Royal Volunteer Coastal Patrol publicity officer Mr Ron Cole said he was disappointed at council's decision.

"Doing nothing is not a good option," Mr Cole said.

"The concerns for safety at the Little Box Head Bar have simply been put to one side and the bar remains as a real danger to all vessels entering or departing Brisbane Water.

"Everyone, including the relevant Ministers in the State Government and Gosford councillors agree that the dredging is necessary in the interest of public safety, but instead of taking some corrective action, it has just become a dogmatic argument about which level of government is responsible and who should pay.

"We pray that lives are not lost as a result of this procrastination."

Council agenda CIT.39, 11 Nov 2008 Press release, 12 Nov 2008 Ron Cole, Royal Volunteer Coastal Patrol