Is sustainable surf carnival possible?

Gosford Council staff and councillors have short memories.

There are still residents living on the Peninsula who remember the build-up to the 2005 Surf championships.

Outstanding issues reached culmination on November 23, 2004, when Cr Drake asked the acting general manager Ms Louise Gee: "When was the date when Council might have to reconsider cancelling approval for the carnival (Peninsula News, 29 Nov 2004)?"

The Council is now in selling mode and will make statements not even the gullible would believe.

The 2005 event was not the financial windfall predicted and it should be noted that the $18 million windfall estimate was for the region, not just the Peninsula.

In 2013, Council would still not know what sustainable event management means as evidenced from decisions made last year, when it ignored submissions suggesting that it incorporate world's standard practice in its new events management policy.

How then would the Council manage the natural environment, when in 2005 it was necessary for Council staff to personally manage its impact on the natural environment?

There is expected to be a threefold increase in spectators of up to 85,000 which would require a higher management standard that 2005.

Is this possible considering the logistics?

How much is NSW Surf Life Saving paying Gosford Council to hire the beach for seven days?

The event held in 2005 included both Umina and Ocean Beaches and utilised an area of 60 metres by 1km.

Logistically, in 2013 the problems would treble according to agenda item CIT.34.

It's not all clear water.

Letter, 30 Dec 2011 Norman Harris, Umina