Planning vacuum fails to consider flooding

The report in Peninsula News (page 7, June 1) reveals that planning is now a vacuum.

No one is capable of convincing me there is merit claiming the Peninsula planning area extends to Pt Clare.

The area is subjected to nature's forces in the form of fire, flood, sea level rise and storm events, with escalation of these actions accepted in the future.

What impact will these forces have on the main transport corridor into Gosford?

When this artery is closed there is no Plan B.

Residents will be stranded on the Peninsula in what can be described as a planning lockdown affecting everyone. It has already happened.

Flooding of Brisbane Water Drive will create chaos as water flowing down the catchment is trapped by a higher water level in the estuary.

Lower tides is the only action that will alleviate the problem, thanks to nature not the Council nor the State Government.

How do I know?

Council officers attending the Joint Regional Planning Panel hearing for the proposed aged care development at Hillview St, Woy Woy, advised the Panel flooding was not a problem on the Peninsula.

I expect the same planners have provide comment on the new policy and the same interest .

Why didn't the officers advise the Panel there had been a community meeting in May 2016 with the mayor and senior Council staff to discuss this problem?

Residents are increasingly criticising those responsible for supporting predictable disasters.

Lockdown was experienced in December with the worst air pollution figures ever recorded.

The term survival bunkering is a euphemism for the future.

Do not ask a planner for an explanation. Ask a resident.

Letter, 5 June 2020

Norm Harris, Umina