Silt traps to be maintained

Gosford Council has replied to a complaint from Horsfield Bay residents about silt build up in the area, stating that the three silt traps involved were now on a permanent cleaning maintenance schedule.

Residents of Horsfield Bay sent council a petition with 47 signatures on April 26 about silt trap inefficiency and the blocking of a silt trap by a resident in the area.

According to the petitioners, inefficient design, poor drainage works and run off from Woy Woy Rd as well as uncontrolled urban siltation had all caused the Bay to continue to suffer from silt and rubble build-up.

The three silt traps were located in Horsfield Bay, with council's legal access to the trap in Monastir Rd having been blocked by a local resident.

Residents had asked why council allowed the resident to block access to the silt trap, why council no longer serviced the silt traps and what council was doing about the continued siltation of the bay.

The letter from council officers to the petitioners advised that "council has a right of access to the silt trap and will use this access where possible".

It further stated that council staff were able to access and service this silt trap from Phegans Rd.

It stated that "the three silt traps mentioned were in need of cleaning and are now on a permanent maintenance schedule" with the two silt traps at Goondi Cl having been cleaned.

Council is currently investigating sedimentation issues for all of Brisbane Water through the Brisbane Water Estuary Processes Study (BWEPS).

Council agenda P.22, July 26