Inspection reveals more dredging needed
An inspection of the Ettalong channel by Gosford councillors has revealed that the dredging job could be a lot larger than originally anticipated.
Advice had earlier been given to the council that the Lobster Beach area could also require dredging.
Cr Craig Doyle described this site as "the tip of the iceberg" at last week's council meeting.
At a site inspection, conducted by water taxi, other locations apart from the Lobster Beach site were identified by NSW Maritime as trouble spots throughout the channel.
Gosford Council has now resolved to defer the dredging of the Ettalong channel until results of another NSW Waterways survey are assessed.
Cr Doyle said one of the main sites of concern was off Little Box Head.
"This is a virtual bombshell and could mean tens of millions of dollars spent on improving the area," Cr Doyle said.
"The bottom line is a lot more money will be needed here and perhaps the revenue gained from Brisbane Water can be used by the State Government to foot the bill."
Cr Terri Latella said it would be wise for council to defer the matter until survey results were received which would have the potential "to open Pandora's box".
Cr Freewater said the site inspection highlighted several important issues for councillors.
"Despite the high tide, the inspection demonstrated the narrowness of the channel and proximity of the rocks at the eastern end of Lobster Beach.
"This was emphasised by the arrival of the Lady Kendall," he said.
"Even the water taxi we were travelling on had to move outside the navigable channel to allow this vessel to pass.
"Luckily it was a very high tide and there was sufficient depth over the sand shoal to allow this.
"NSW Maritime indicated that while the channel remained navigable, the proposed dredging would make the channel considerably safer.
"It was explained that, as it was, certain larger vessels like the ferry were at risk if they have to slow to allow another vessel coming from the opposite direction to pass.
"These vessels rely on the power from their motors to steer and the fear is that they may end up on the rocks, especially if there is a strong ebb tide which causes the water to rip through that section of the channel.
NSW Maritime senior officer Craig Abbs explained to councillors why Brisbane Water does not come under the Minor Ports Scheme or the River Entrance Program.
"These programs attract 100 per cent funding to maintain Crown assets and commercial navigation channels.
"Brisbane Water is not eligible because we have no large commercial fleet and we do not have a trained (seawall) river entrance.
"That is why historically, council has only been able to obtain 50 per cent funding.
"This situation will not change and the $250,000 funding offer from Crown is approximately 25 per cent of their entire budget, which should be stretched across more than 100 estuaries along the NSW coast.
"It is only because of the importance and urgency of the dredging that the offer was made."
Cr Freewater said there was light at the end of the tunnel for the issue to be resolved.
"Other councillors are coming around to the importance and urgency of this work and I am hopeful that we might have the numbers by the next council meeting.
"While there may be other areas in Brisbane Water that require maintenance dredging, the entrance channel is by far the most important and urgent."
Council also resolved to highlight the dredging of Ettalong channel through the Sea Change Councils, Australian Local Government Association and the Local Government & Shires Association for discussion on dealing with maintenance, management and funding of navigable channels.
Council agenda CIT.6, 10 Feb 2009
Email, 12 Feb 2009
Cr Peter Freewater, Gosford Council