Boat ramp upgrade pushed back

A series of mishaps and lack of funding have pushed back the upgrade of the Pretty Beach boat ramp, according to a report from Gosford Council's director of city services Mr Stephen Glen.

The report was in response to a question from Cr Jim Macfadyen, who had asked for an update on the upgrade, stating that the matter had been advertised twice.

He questioned the need to advertise it a third time.

Cr Macfadyen said the issue had been going on for three years.

Mr Glen stated in the report that the development application (DA) for the upgrade had been described as being located in Killcare.

Mr Glen said the application was then readvertised to "avoid confusion" and to let the public know that site was actually located in Pretty Beach.

According to the report, however, due to the owner's consent not being submitted with the application, the DA was deemed invalid.

On August 16, Mr Glen said the owner had since provided owner's consent and a fresh DA would be submitted immediately.

The report also stated that council had received $200,000 from the NSW Maritime Authority of which about $25,000 had been spent in development costs.

The cost to demolish and rebuild the existing boat ramp was estimated at $250,000, a shortfall of $75,000.

Mr Glen said an application for further funding would be submitted to the NSW Maritime Authority under the Maritime Infrastructure Program.

The report added that negotiations with officers from that Authority had indicated that it would assess the application as a priority so that construction planning could commence as soon as possible.

Council agenda Q116, COR.32, September 27