'Option two' adopted for Woy Woy wharf
Gosford Council has adopted a design for the upgrade of the Woy Woy Town Centre Wharf.
The council adopted "option two" at its August 7 meeting, after considering five submissions and discussion from specialist council offers.
Council was told that the option offered advantages to local recreational boat owners and fishermen.
It had an increased mooring area on the floating pontoon and foreshore wharf-boardwalk, and an increased fishing area away from the commercial and high pedestrian traffic areas.
It also had the ability to add further moorings to floating pontoon at the western end similar to "option one" if required in the future.
It also separated passenger and commercial vessels to the eastern end of the proposed pontoon and existing commercial wharf.
The option was one of three that were advertised for public comment after the Woy Woy Town Centre Wharf Concept Report was presented to the council last December.
The report was prepared after a public meeting was held to gather information and to assess the needs of the boating and general community.
A vessel usage investigation was also undertaken of craft and persons using the wharf.
The study was undertaken with a dollar-for-dollar grant funding from NSW Maritime under the 2009-10 Better Boating Program.
The council is now investigating funding opportunities for the design and construction of Woy Woy Town Centre Wharf in accordance with option two.
At the meeting, the council also decided to impose a levy of $7000 per year per wharf on vessels with a capacity of 120 passengers or more.
Scenic and tourist cruises that picked up and dropped off passengers from the same wharf would be exempt.
Gosford Labor Crs Jim Macfadyen and Vicki Scott proposed the motion on the basis that it "would deliver upgrades to wharves on the Peninsula, particularly the commuter facilities at Ettalong and Wagstaffe".
"This is a similar levy to what is imposed by Pittwater Council," said Cr Macfadyen.
"Up until this point, Gosford hasn't received any income for the heavy use of our wharves by private operators.
"At the same time, Council has been incurring expenses year after year for upkeep and maintenance.
"The funds raised will be quarantined for wharf upgrades across the city.
"Top of the list for improvement will be the commuter wharves at Ettalong and Wagstaffe.
"Once the levy is implemented, there will be discussions with the local communities and ferry commuters about what upgrades are needed," said Cr Macfadyen.
Gosford Council Agenda CIT.34, 7 Aug 2012
Email, 9 Aug 2012
Jim Macfadyen, Gosford Council