Grassy verge along The Esplanade

I am astounded by the completely unsubstantiated comments from Michael Gillian and Margaret Lund over the Ettalong Beach Foreshore Management Plan (Peninsula News, August 21).

I have lived here all my life and have never read such utter rubbish in all that time.

When I was a kid, you could go down to Ettalong Beach and sit on the grassy verge along The Esplanade and hire canoes and paddle in the safe waters to your heart's content.

Mr Gillian thinks that if we left the vegetation as it is today "it would help prevent erosion of The Esplanade, protect us against higher sea levels and adverse weather patterns".

If that is the case, then how is it the rest of the eastern seaboard has beautiful beaches and, according to Michael Gillian, we are not allowed to.

Like most locals, I want my beach back now!

Brian Collis Empire Bay