Dredging starts after two years
The dredging of Ettalong channel has started, almost two years after the issue was first brought to the attention of Gosford Council.
The council's director of city services Mr Stephen Glen said work was still expected to be finished by Christmas despite minor delays due to poor weather conditions.
Mr Glen said extended hours would be worked to ensure the project was completed in time for Christmas and the busy boating season.
The dredging process itself will involve sweeping sand from the navigational channel to the ocean side of the Ettalong Shoal.
The sweeper dredge will be operating in the channel during daylight hours when weather and ocean conditions are suitable.
The works will take place at the northern end of Broken Bay near Lobster Beach.
According to Mr Glen, dredging is required as sand from the Ettalong shoal has encroached into the navigational channel in recent years.
"This has resulted in a loss of depth in some sections of the channel, as well as changes in the configuration of the channel marker buoys," Mr Glen said.
"Dredging of the channel will improve conditions for vessels navigating through the entrance to Brisbane Water."
Peninsula News first began reporting on the dredging issue in June 2007 after the Department of Lands commenced plans to dredge the area on the request of council.
The project was delayed several times before council called on the State Government to foot the bill in March last year.
An 18-month stalemate between council and the State Government followed, with each denying responsibility for funding the project.
In the end, Gosford Council accepted the State Government's offer to contribute 50 per cent on the basis that it was not considered a precedent.
Clare Graham, 9 Dec 2009
Interviewee: Stephen Glen, Gosford Council
Press release, 2 Dec 2009
Alison Hood, Gosford Council