No plans to manage risk of sea level rise

Recent statements by politicians indicate that the management of the risk of sea level rise remains beyond the capability of those people who claim they represent the people of Gosford.

The most badly affected suburbs around Brisbane Waters are from: West Gosford to Koolewong; Woy Woy to Umina and through to Patonga; Killcare, Wagstaffe and Hardys Bay; St Huberts Island, Empire Bay, Davistown, Saratoga and Yattalunga; Green Point to Point Frederick and then back around to Gosford waterfront.

All Gosford beaches from Patonga, Pearl Beach, Umina and Killcare through to Forresters Beach are impacted by forecasts of rising sea levels causing increased coastal erosion and tidal inundation.

We have 10 councillors, two State MPs and a Federal MP.

None have stood up and outlined how they believe this risk should be managed and what plans they believe should be developed for the future.

At times they have publicly stated how badly these areas will be affected - but have never offered a solution to the damage these forecasts have already caused.

These elected representatives are too busy shifting blame to undertake consultation with the 9000 families whose lives have been changed by the thoughtless decisions of government.

Their main focus is to cover their own rear ends and they are using both hands to do it.

The issue has become heavily politicised but the wellbeing and livelihood of those most affected continues to be ignored.

Our representatives have failed to realise that most are people on low to average incomes without the ability to protect themselves from the unfair policies of government.

The issue of who is right or who is wrong is irrelevant.

The risk must be properly managed and those most affected by these projections must be consulted.

The public forums and meetings that were promised have not been offered.

Consultation has not taken place.

Gosford Council, the NSW State Government and now the Federal Government have created an environment of alarm and uncertainty.

There is no consultation and no attempt at all to plan for the future in an open and honest way.

All three levels of government are locked into outdoing each other in forecasting the end of the world as we know it.

The future is what we make of it.

If our elected representatives don't believe in a future for the thousands of families directly affected, then it is time to get out of the way and let them move forward.

Email, 19 Jul 2011 Pat Aiken, Saratoga