Grants for oval, foreshore and pool

The Federal Government will provide Gosford Council with $365,000 in funding grants for three Peninsula projects as part of the second round of its Regional and Local Community Infrastructure Program.

The three projects will help upgrade beach recreation areas in Umina, Ettalong and Pearl Beach, according to council's coordinator of parks, playgrounds and foreshores Ms Kim Radford.

Ms Radford said the extra funding received meant that several infrastructure projects could be delivered to the community sooner than expected.

"The projects listed for consideration had to meet the funding guidelines for consideration," Ms Radford said.

"Some were rejected by the Federal Government (due to not meeting funding guidelines) and new ones submitted."

The refurbishment of Pearl Beach Rock Pool is expected to go ahead later this year after the Federal Government dedicated $120,000 under the recent funding announcement.

The project is estimated to cost more than $200,000 with the remainder of funds coming from the Pearl Beach Progress Association's $80,000 fundraising efforts over the past year.

Funds have also been confirmed to construct two viewing platforms at Ettalong Beach Foreshore.

Ms Radford said council had applied for numerous grants to complete the works planned for the area but had been unsuccessful to date.

She said work on the two platforms would be completed by the end of the year.

"The Plan of Management for Ettalong calls for substantial and costly works," Ms Radford said.

"It is impossible to apply for enough funds to complete all works.

"Council officers are currently working through the high priority actions list in the Plan of Management."

The Peninsula Recreation Precinct has secured another $95,000 funding to complete the project which is currently out to tender.

The precinct development is anticipated to commence construction in June and completed by December, according to Ms Radford.

"The $95,000 is going towards some additional items that have resulted as part of community feedback and DA and environmental requirements and were not funded through other funds," Ms Radford said.

"The works include dune fencing for Endangered Ecological Community, half court basketball court and tennis court fencing."

Member for Robertson Ms Belinda Neal said the projects were put forward by council and were expected to support several jobs during construction.

"The funding will keep more people working in our community.

"It will support our local economy, and importantly, it will build local infrastructure for the future," Ms Neal said.

The funding announcement also included grants for the upgrade of several Saratoga community buildings and construction of a skate park in Gosford.

Media statement, 8 Apr 2010 Kim Radford, Gosford Council Press release, 24 Mar 2010 Belinda Neal, Member for Robertson