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Collapse Issue 458 - 19 Nov 2018Issue 458 - 19 Nov 2018
Collapse  NEWS NEWS
Ferry service should be back to normal this week
Group calls for resident feedback on tree policy
Ettalong intersection to get $7 million roundabout
Former Gosford Council solicitor dies
Bi-plane fly-past featured in Ettalong commemoration
New Umina skate park and BMX track could cost $3.5M
Woy Woy to be a parking 'key focus area'
Parking issues exist outside Woy Woy, says Holstein
Council fails to improve abandoned vehicle response
Online survey for climate change policy
One lane of Ross St to close for Kathleen St upgrade
Council to develop disability tourism precinct
More dredging required at Lobster Beach
Minister questions formal dredging agreement
Minister suggests ferry could run in high tides
Arboretum wins Tidy Towns Award
Umina CWA seeks new members
Lions to sell cakes at Christmas lights display
Salvation Army plans Christmas Cheer operation
More than $138,000 distributed in sponsorship and grants
CWA receives $14,000 for drought relief
Flag stolen for second time
Woy Woy CWA takes out awards
Donation drive for Backpacks for the Homeless
New festival venue 'a success', says Chamber
Hotel opens after renovation
Deck chairs at Umina park
Brides vote for Woy Woy club
Whole foods grocery officially opens
Hold My Hand campaign during the holidays
Hearing on water and sewerage pricing
Interest sought for tourism committee
Collapse  FORUM FORUM
We need planning regulations we can rely on
If non-compliance is not a basis for rejection, what is?
Are dead pigeons an advanced warning?
Mangrove Mountain landfill affects our drinking water
Proposed mine will affect our water too
A fitting Remembrance Day service at Ettalong
Moving ceremony at Ocean Beach
Thanks for Remembrance Day support
Thanks for the ceremony
Pet killed by unaccompanied dogs
Is a roundabout worth more than 14 homes?
A tunnel to the Northern Beaches?
A tow truck for the ferry?
Buy pothole-mending truck
Forest logging debate at South Woy Woy in 1981
Refugee policy is obsolete, inhumane and a disgrace
Collapse  HEALTH HEALTH
Aged care nurse wins national award
Woy Woy doctor named Registrar of the Year
Lions provide special chair for Ettalong boy
New practice opens in Woy Woy
Collapse  ARTS ARTS
New art gallery at Koolewong
Annual exhibition sale held at community centre
Fiddle player to appear at folk club
Donation for Children's Portrait Prize
Musical director gives final performance
Surf club to hold annual art fundraiser
Collapse  EDUCATION EDUCATION
Politicians hear of need for footpath
Parents reminded staff carparks are off bounds
Qualified for national carnival
Remembrance Day ceremony held
Special commemorative assembly
Students return from Canberra immersion excursion
School holds Cook for my Parents evening
Parents' group starts social media page
Kindergarten students visit college farm
Grandparents Day planned
Health and wellness celebrated
Busy weeks at Pretty Beach
Talent quest auditions start
Kindergarten transition program finishes
Former student acknowledges sporting achievements
Collapse  SPORT SPORT
Umina boxers compete in world championships
Busy season expected by Woy Woy Wombats
Ocean Beach performs strongly in Nippers Carnival
Surf club members gain medallions in time for season
Association to hold Smiles on Dials day
Young Eagles players in Mariners' half time game
Peninsula lifesavers to join interbranch team
Ladies' Luncheon planned for Christmas

Ferry service should be back to normal this week

The ferry service between Wagstaffe, Ettalong and Palm Beach should be back to normal this week.

New ferry owner, the NRMA, advised Peninsula News on Friday afternoon that it had the "all clear" from NSW Roads and Maritime Services for full services to Wagstaffe and Ettalong.

The service was planned to start today (Monday).

The first service out of Wagstaffe was due to leave at 5:50am this morning and from Ettalong at 6am, with 10 return services from each location daily.

Services between Palm Beach and Ettalong and Wagstaffe have not run since April and commuters have needed to make their own way to and from Patonga in order to utilise the ferry to Sydney's northern beaches.

Member for Gosford Ms Liesl Tesch said on Thursday she had received confirmation that the ferry operator, Fantasea Cruises, was conducting test runs of the navigation channel to determine whether or not it was safe to resume its full service.

She said that the dredge was still working off Lobster Beach.

The Wagstaffe-Killcare Community Association circulated a dredging update to its members on the same day which stated: "We have been advised by the Department of Lands that dredging operations in the Ettalong Channel should reach a stage next week to enable ferry services to complete their safety testing.

"The channel mouth off Little Box Head where the original problem arose has been made 60m wide and is now clear.

"The final stage of dredging off Lobster Beach will provide a 30m wide channel with a minimum clearance at low tide of some 2.5m.

"After ferries resume, this will be widened further to 40m.

"Roads and Maritime will then move the channel markers to delineate the new channel boundaries."

Ms Tesch said the resumption of the full ferry service would be welcomed by the local community and business operators but the NSW Government's efforts to provide the Peninsula with a safe and operational navigation channel still needed scrutiny.

"I have put questions on notice in the Legislative Assembly about how many days the dredge has worked and not worked," she said.

"The Minister's suggestion that the ferry could run a tidal service and use the channel on medium- to high-tides is not tenable.

"It would have meant people could take the ferry trip to Palm Beach in the morning but be stuck at Patonga on the return trip.

"This government has already spent over $1 million on emergency dredging but my questions have revealed it had no plans of introducing a shuttle bus for commuters between Patonga and the other regular ferry stops.

"We know a long term solution is needed and we know $1.255 million with the same amount matched by Council will not be near enough to ensure the ferry service does not have to be diverted for another seven months at some stage in the future," she said.





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