Smith calls for government to dredge channel

Member for Gosford Ms Kathy Smith has called for the State Government to dredge the Ettalong channel.

Ms Smith said she had met with representatives of Brisbane Water Marine Rescue and Palm Beach Ferries, which had continued to express their concerns about the silting of the Brisbane Water channel at Ettalong.

"I was advised there is every likelihood that ferry services will be cancelled as the conditions worsens and the Baird Government doesn't even acknowledge responsibility for the work to be done let alone getting on with it.

"Many people commute via the ferry and many kids who attend schools on the Northern Beaches and beyond are users each school day.

"In January 2016 in excess of 22,000 people travelled on the Ettalong-Palm Beach service, proof indeed of the need for continuity of service.

"It is vital to the community and to our local economy.

"The danger to both leisure and commercial craft is increasing and we don't want a disaster on our doorstep - a disaster that can so easily be prevented for what is a few measly dollars.

"This is yet another area that I am fighting to get answers on from the Baird Government.

"The Peninsula community is being ignored and it must stop.

"We are entitled to equity of access to our government and its services and we will fight for that right," she said.

"I will continue to work on getting a commitment from the NSW Government to dredge the dangerously silted up channel at Ettalong."

Email, 21 Mar 2016

Kathy Smith, Member for Gosford