Petitions call for beach upgrade

Gosford Council has received several petitions totalling over 700 names calling for the immediate upgrade of Town Beach as part of the Ettalong Beach Plan of Management.

They have called for the reduction of dune vegetation in the area, and suggested "quality timber and stainless steel fencing".

The first group of petitions, totalling 379 signatures, came from the Ettalong Beach Heritage Committee and residents.

It stated that petitioners were of the view that the plan currently on exhibition did not go far enough in achieving several objectives.

It stated that the plan should be amended to further reduce the width of dune vegetation, substantially thin it, and completely remove the middle storey to "facilitate sight lines".

It stated that vegetation should consist of low plantings and ground covers with greater emphasis on view lines and less on middle storey plantings.

The petitioners also asked that the proposed concrete wall be replaced with high quality timber and stainless steel fencing linking the viewing decks along the promenade.

It also asked that more of the beachfront be restored for public use.

A second petition from local residents, with 329 signatures, asked that council undertake the upgrading of their town beach immediately as per the Ettalong Beach Plan of Management and the Patterson Britton Study so that their town beach "is restored for public use, views reinstated and the proper environmental protection structures are constructed".

Council agenda P.62, P.63, October 24