New facilities with Federal funding

Viewing platforms at Ettalong Beach, closed circuit security cameras and new facilities at the Ettalong Beach Arts and Crafts Centre will all be purchased with money awarded under the Federal Government's community infrastructure program.

Gosford Council will spend more than $250,000 on the projects after being allocated $572,000 under round two of the Federal Government's Regional and Local Community Infrastructure Program.

Member for Robertson Ms Belinda Neal said she was delighted that the Federal Government has provided council with an additional $572,000.

"The Federal Government has so far granted more than $5 million to Gosford City Council under the Community Infrastructure Program, which is helping transform our parks, playgrounds and community buildings," Ms Neal said.

Council has allocated $65,000 of Federal Government funding to the $100,000 expansion of the Peninsula CCTV network and will contribute $35,000 of its own funds through a recurrent budget review, according to a council report.

Plans to upgrade Ettalong Beach Arts and Crafts Centre are part of a combined $117,000 project to see four community facilities across the Gosford LGA upgraded.

Meanwhile the $150,000 viewing platform project at Ettalong Beach will attract full funding from round two of the Federal Government's Regional and Local Community Infrastructure Program.

The announcement of council's plans to allocate a large portion of funding to the Peninsula has been welcomed by business groups.

Ettalong Beach Business Group member Mr Ray Dearlove said council's approval of the viewing platform project "goes along way" towards the completion of the Ettalong Beach Plan of Management.

"This is really an exciting time for Ettalong Beach and we thank Gosford Council and also the Federal Government for their financial support in making this happen," Mr Dearlove said.

"The existing viewing platform has been well patronised since being built last year.

"Ettalong Beach has unmatched physical beauty and this will further enhance the appeal of the area to residents, business and tourists. We are delighted."

Gosford mayor Cr Chris Holstein said council were pleased to make the contribution towards the further beatification of Ettalong Beach.

"The business community and citizens of Ettalong Beach have shown great enthusiasm, initiative and resilience in working together to make Ettalong Beach one of the gems of the Central Coast," Cr Holstein said.

Peninsula Chamber of Commerce Mainstreet Coordinator Ms Debra Wales also welcomed the Federal Government's announcement to fund the proposed two viewing platforms on the Ettalong Beach foreshore and said the local business community had worked hard to see the completion of the Ettalong Beach Plan of Management.

"Upgrading and improving our town beach and the waterfront reserve means we can be proud to show off our community to visitors to the area, hold festivals and events and to once again feel proud to live here," Ms Wales said.

Ms Wales credited the work of the Ettalong Beach Heritage Committee in seeing the foreshore come to life.

"The committee formed in 1996 from a public meeting originally organised by Fitness Gym owner John Moore and has worked diligently for the past 12 years to see their plan come to fruition," Ms Wales said.

Ms Wales said the works were part of the town centre Mainstreet Program which was started with funding from the Department of State and Regional Development in 1996 with the main street receiving a facelift and shop front enhancements in an old world theme.

"It's been a long time coming with many very difficult hurdles to overcome but are diligent and focused on this area being completed."

Peninsula Chamber of Commerce president Mr Matthew Wales said the upgrade of the Ettalong Beach Foreshore was vital to the area becoming a successful tourist destination.

"Unless the foreshore is upgraded and maintained to a high standard, visitors and tourist will not fully appreciate the unique attributes of the local area," Mr Wales said.

"You need the 'wow' factor otherwise this area will never seriously compete for the regional tourist dollar with places like Terrigal or The Entrance."

Mr Wales also highlighted the need for ongoing funding for the upgrade of the coastal foreshore between Ettalong Beach and Umina Beach.

"We have one of the most beautiful coastal strips in NSW yet we spend almost nothing on beautifying the beachfront from Ettalong Beach to Umina Beach," Mr Wales said.

"It's time that all levels of government got serious about allocating proper funding to the upgrade of this coastal corridor."

Council agenda COR.128, 3 Nov 2009 Press release, 4 Nov 2009 Ray Dearlove, Ettalong Beach Business Group Press release, 9 Nov 2009 Matthew Wales, Peninsula Chamber of Commerce Press release, 12 Nov 2009 Debra Wales, Peninsula Chamber of Commerce Media statement, 13 Nov 2009 Belinda Neal, Member for Robertson