Foreshore stabilisation to proceed

Gosford Council has resolved to move ahead with urgent stabilisation works along with works currently being conducted near the Lance Webb reserve on the Ettalong Foreshore.

Council officers have proposed to stabilise 70 metres of foreshore immediately to the west of the work already undertaken along with a further 150 metres of foreshore immediately to the east of the work already undertaken.

Council was recently alerted to erosion problems along the Ettalong Beach foreshore between Picnic Pde and Ferry Rd by dunecare group member Mr Michael Gillian.

The land is managed by council under the Ettalong Beach reserve plan of management.

According to a council report, the safety hazard associated with the foreshore erosion was isolated with para-webbing.

Officers of council and the Department of Lands held a joint inspection, where it was found that the foreshore rock protection had partially failed along a 300m length.

A council report stated that at one location foreshore erosion had advanced rapidly to the extent that it posed a "significant safety hazard" to people walking along the foreshore reserve.

The report stated that council isolated the safety hazard and arrangements for repairs to the foreshore began immediately.

Foreshore rock protection over a length of 80 metres had already been completed in the area, and included restacking the sandstone blocks, which included a significant number of new blocks.

The report stated that associated fencing and revegetation has not yet been completed.

The final cost of the initial works would be $50,000.

Council officers have now proposed to stabilise a further 70 metres of foreshore immediately to the west of the work already undertaken at a cost of $30,000.

The report stated that to complete the restoration of the foreshore it would be necessary to stabilise a further 150 metres of foreshore immediately to the east of the work already undertaken at a cost of $70,000.

Funding would be allocated to the work in a budget review so that there was no negative impact on Council's budget.

An application would also be made to the State Government under the Natural Disaster Mitigation Program to try get grant funding for the works.

Mr Michael Gillian said he supported the works, but wanted council to be aware the works would only be temporary measures.

"It is important, and it doesn't appear in the documentation, that these works are only a temporary stop-gap measure," Mr Gillian said.

"I believe council needs to budget for this item and accept that there is little likelihood of State Government contribution."

Mr Gillian also pinted to the role of the dunes in the area for helping stop erosion of the whole foreshore.

"Blind Freddy can tell you that the town beach foreshore has been protected by the dunes in that area," Mr Gillian said.

"It does not require remediation and will not if the dunes are maintained.

"The problems in the Lance Webb reserve should be seen as a timely warning of future foreshore problems if we do not protect the foreshore."

Cr Terri Latella said she wanted to know the implications of putting up another sandstone wall in the area.

"As we can see, it has collapsed," Cr Latella said.

"If we are going to spend these sorts of figures, what are the implications of putting up another sandstone wall for the area?

"If the remediation works are not long-term, then we need to be well aware of those implications when we are supporting that sort of work.

"Without adequately researching the implications of putting another sandstone wall up, isn't that asking for trouble?

"Just a few metres away you have a beach area that is being stabilised naturally by dune vegetation.

"Where is the strategy?

"Where is the sensible attitude?

"First of all, look at the long term impacts of putting another wall there."

Cr Latella said she did not support the works, certainly with it not going out on public exhibition for 28 days.

Cr Craig Doyle pointed out the necessity of the works, and possible liability issues.

"If the work's urgent, let's get the damn thing done," Cr Doyle said.

"I have no problem with getting it out there and making it as quick as possible.

"If there are concerns about whether this is going to be long term or not, that's for another night.

"At the moment, this area is susceptible and I think the community needs to have it fixed now.

"Liability is another aspect," Cr Doyle said.

"People's lives come first.

"I can't think of a worse social impact than of being knee deep in water.

"What's the potential of not doing anything and waiting around?"

Lyle Stone, December 6 Council agenda CIT.15, December 6