Call to open fire trail

Pearl Beach resident Mr John Greenway has put forward a proposal to Member for Gosford Ms Marie Andrews to have the fire trail at the end of Onthonna Terrace, Umina Beach, opened to traffic in case of emergency.

Mr Greenway's proposal follows the second closure of Patonga Dr in recent months.

"On December 5, for the second time recently, Patonga Dr was closed to all traffic in both directions," Mr Greenway said.

"As on the previous occasion it was due to a traffic accident.

"Regrettably in this recent incident there was a loss of life.

"The result in these two incidents was that the RTA's Accident Investigation Unit was called. "This unit is based in Sydney and has to travel all the way up to the crash they are investigating.

"This can take up to two hours.

"The site was sealed off with no access in either direction.

"The most recent incident which occurred at 5.15pm saw the road closed for almost seven hours, causing many people to have to sit in their cars and wait.

If there had been another emergency from Pearl Beach or Patonga, I wonder what would have happened?"

Mr Greenway said on both occasions "severe distress and inconvenience" was created for many people trying to access and exit Pearl Beach and Patonga.

"On the first occasion, school children were left stranded and unable to return home," Mr Greenway said.

"What I propose is that the Onthonna Rd fire trail, which is accessible through a gate near the water reservoir, be made available in case of emergency for vehicles travelling in either direction.

"I have checked this trail and, at present, it is in fair condition.

"With a little levelling it would be suitable for conventional cars and small vehicles.

"Once this is done, cars could use it to get onto Onthonna Rd, then onto Mountain Ash Rd and Neera Rd which would get them onto Mt Ettalong Rd.

"Vehicles could only travel in one direction at a time but this could be controlled by either the SES or Rural Fire Brigade during any future road closure of Patonga Dr."

Mr Greenway said he had sent a letter to both Ms Andrews and president of the Pearl Beach Progress Association Mr Rod Craig with his suggestion.

Email, 8 Dec 2008 John Greenway, Pearl Beach