Creek will not be dredged

Gosford Council will not dredge Ettymalong Creek, despite a request from locals.

The council received a petition with 10 signatures on February 28 asking that it dredge Ettamylong Creek due to "health concerns".

Council officers have since sent a letter to petitioners stating that the level of sand at the southern end of Umina Beach, which determines the water level in that section of the creek, would vary naturally.

A staff report to the council stated that "excavation to remove silt from Ettymalong Creek will not be undertaken due to environmental, regulatory and budgetary constraints".

It stated that State Government authorities, such as the Department of Primary Industries (Fisheries) and Department of Natural Resources, only permit dredging as a last resort and would be unlikely to support excavation of the creek, even if funds were to become available.

Council agenda P.12, May 2