Gate recommended near sewage plant

A gate across Nagari Rd, Woy Woy, near the entrance to Gosford Council's sewage treatment facility has been recommended by council staff.

The gate would be locked between the hours of 5pm and 7am seven days a week.

The purpose of the proposed gate was to prevent the dumping of household waste and abandoned cars along the isolated section of Nagari Rd between the last commercial premises and the Woy Woy solid waste disposal depot.

The proposal was advertised for a period of 28 days and letters were sent to affected property owners, with one letter received from the owner of Lot 155.

The owner of the property stated that he was not prepared to co-operate with any such proposal unless council addressed his concerns and provided reasonable compensation for such a significant nuisance."

The owner of the property detailed a list of 14 requests including extended curb and guttering, turning facilities, suitable signage and compensation of $200 per week.

Council staff reported that there was no requirement for articulated vehicle turning movements at the proposed site and stated the request for $200 per week compensation was "inappropriate".

The owner of the property also requested the gate have remote operating controls (such as a proximity reader) as well as manual key over-ride operation mode, for the owner, his invitees and emergency services.

Council officers stated the provision of remote operating controls was not considered warranted due to the high cost of installation and maintenance.

The estimated additional cost to install a remote controlled gate was in the order of $15,000 to $20,000 on a base gate cost of $20,000.

The NSW Rural Fire Service and National Parks and Wildlife Service would need remote control devices for each of its vehicles that required access to this area, which was not deemed practical.

Council officers stated that the delay in presenting the report to council was in part created by the need to investigate the concerns of the owner of Lot 155.

A council report stated that the favoured location to construct a gate was adjacent to the access to council's sewer treatment facility.

The gate construction would consist of galvanised frame and steel mesh with several rows of barbed wire on top of the structure similar to the gate at the entry to the sewer treatment facility.

The gates would most likely consist of double hung (twin) inward opening gates, governed by the constraints posed by the cut face on one side and the fill embankment on the other.

Pedestrian and bicycle access would be provided on the eastern side of Nagari Rd.

This would be achieved by widening a small section of the road pavement and the installation of several bollards to prevent vehicular access.

The report also stated that the traffic committee should consider the installation of No Parking signs for 15 metres on either side of the gate.

Appropriate lighting and approach warning signs were also recommended by the officers to ensure that drivers are aware of the existence of the gate.

The estimated cost to construct a manual operating gate and associated works was $20,000 and the cost to provide an automated gate is in the order of $35,000 to $40,000.

Council agenda EO.12, April 5