Workshops held for estuary plan

Management option workshops for the Brisbane Water Estuary Management Study and Plan will be held at Wagstaffe and South Woy Woy later this month.

More than 100 participants attended a workshop held at Erina on April 4, with feedback being collated by consultants Cardno Lawson Treloar.

Gosford mayor Cr Christ Holstein said the community was invited to participate in the next stage of the project, the management option workshops, which would be held throughout May at three venues.

The first of these workshops will take place at Wagstaffe Hall on Tuesday, May 19, from 1pm to 4pm, followed by a second workshop at Gosford Council Chambers on Wednesday, May 20, from 6.30pm to 9pm.

The final management option workshop will be held at South Woy Woy Progress Hall on Thursday, May 21, from 10am to 1pm.

Each workshop will be the same format and interested persons should email the consultants at brisbanewater@cardno.com.au if they wished to attend a workshop, to assist with catering and seating arrangements.

The estuary management process is part of the State Government's Rivers and Estuaries Policy.

The study is being prepared under the guidance of the Coastal and Estuary Management Committee which is convened by Gosford Council.

The project is jointly funded under the Estuary Management Program between Department of Environment and Climate Change and Gosford council.

The management plan is expected to be completed by early next year.

According to Cr Holstein, the Erina workshop was a "huge success" and gave participants the opportunity to hear about the findings of the Brisbane Water Estuary Processes Study.

"Participants provided valuable feedback indicating areas they value and locations where they have noticed issues," Cr Holstein said.

"I would encourage all community members to take the time to have their say on how the estuary is managed into the future.

"We are particularly interested in ensuring we hear the views of our younger residents, foreshore business owners and working families."

Press release, 27 Apr 2009 Paul Franklin, Gosford Council