Tesch seeks Government action on erosion

Member for Gosford Ms Liesl Tesch has started a petition to garner community support for NSW Government action to stem the erosion of the Peninsula's beaches.

Umina and Ocean Beaches have been slowly eaten away since major storms more than three years ago, but now the damage and the danger is increasing more rapidly, according to Ms Tesch.

"I taught students at Brisbane Water Secondary College for years about coastal erosion, and this was an unfortunate local example we could point to," she said.

"I'm proud of the work and assistance the State Government provides under the Coastal Management Program to support local government in managing the risks from coastal hazards, such as coastal erosion, and restoring degraded coastal habitats.

"I'm pleased that the State Government has been able to support further research and reports by Central Coast Council into the future of the beachfront, but the environment can't wait much longer for action.

"Central Coast Council won't be able to do it alone, and the State Government should be ready to assist with funding in future years as required in Council's erosion management plan to fund action to manage the risks from coastal hazards and to implement environmental repairs, including habitat restoration and conservation projects.

"If governments don't act soon then we risk losing one of our Coast's best beaches.

"While the NSW Government provides $2 million across the whole state, this amount hasn't increased in many years but the need along our coastline is getting bigger and bigger.

"We need to make sure that the government support matches the environmental need.

"We can't afford to play politics with our beaches.

"I have started a petition calling on the State Government to provide adequate support and funding to replenish Umina-Ocean Beach and to give back our wonderful beachfront to the community," she said.

SOURCE:

Media release, 14 Jun 2018

Richard Mehrtens, Office of Liesl Tesch