Chamber welcomes dredging work

The Peninsula Chamber of Commerce has welcomed the announcement by NSW Minister for Lands Mr Paul Toole that $250,000 will be made available for emergency dredging works in the Ettalong channel.

"The NSW State Government should be congratulated for stepping up to the plate and providing emergency dredging funds when the Council failed to accept its responsibility for the Ettalong channel," said Chamber president Mr Matthew Wales.

"We have been advised that 20,000 cubic metres will be dredged from the channel with work commencing around June 18, weather permitting.

"A contactor has been appointed with clear instructions to get on with the works as quickly as possible," said Mr Wales.

"It is understood that dredging equipment is on its way down from Yamba with recent surveys identifying that around 20,000 cubic metres needs to be removed from the problem areas.

"The dredged material will be stockpiled on the main channel bar in the first instance with the Department of Industry advising that they will then look at options to pump or barge it to adjacent beaches and erosion problem areas as part of the long term solution.

"The Chamber also welcomes the news that the NSW Government and Central Coast Council have collaboratively worked on a compliant application under the Rescuing Our Waterways program for additional funds for the dredging works that will be in addition to the $250,000 emergency funds already provided by the State Government.

"It is pleasing to see the Council accepting the co-funding arrangements for on-going dredging works and the Chamber hopes that this new spirit of co-operation will lead to a long term solution to the Ettalong channel maintenance works."

SOURCE:

Media release, 13 Jun 2018

Matthew Wales, Peninsula Chamber of Commerce