Community deserves a better reserve

According to a Gosford Council press release that was published in the Peninsula News on January 30, foreshore redevelopment at Ettalong Beach is expected to commence mid-year, subject to the approval of the Department of Lands.

However, this redevelopment is only between Picnic Parade and Beach St.

The Ettalong Beach foreshore, from Beach St to just past Bangalow St, appears to have been neglected by Council.

This area should be given priority for attention since it is where holidaymakers come to picnic on the reserve.

It is where tourist buses come to drop off their passengers.

Little effort has been made to beautify this area, let alone permanently fix the safety hazards that exist along the foreshore.

To address the land subsidence problem along the foreshore south of Beach St, Council erected a wire fence together with several warning signs advising people not to enter beyond the fence.

With vandalism, all the warning signs disappeared long ago.

If someone breaks a limb by falling into the hole beyond the fence, Council could be liable as there are no signs at present warning of the danger.

Grass and other undergrowth along the foreshore are growing out of control.

It doesn't present a very attractive picture of Ettalong.

The seats and tables on the Ettalong Beach foreshore reserve are old, dilapidated, and insufficient in number for the many tourists who come to Ettalong, especially over the holiday period.

Seat and table numbers are diminishing due to vandalism.

Over the Easter period, two seats and one table were completely trashed.

Buses from the retirement village regularly bring people to the foreshore reserve.

However, seating for these elderly people leaves a lot to be desired.

There is only one seat remaining that has a back support.

The community deserves something better than rundown seats and tables to use.

David White Ettalong Beach