Footpath work 'low priority'

Work to finish constructing a footpath in Flounder Rd, Ettalong, was low priority and not expected to be undertaken for a number of years, according to a letter from Gosford Council.

However, "medium term solutions" were being considered.

The letter was written to Ettalong resident Mr Jason Evans, who raised concerns that when the footpath was constructed there was a 90cm drop.

"There are several blind people living in my street and one of them fell down this drop-off," he said.

The drop had since been fenced.

Council capital works officer Mr Clint Jury told Mr Evans that the council did not have the money to construct the footpath.

However, he said he had brought the matter to the attention of the area overseer for maintenance in the Ettalong area in order to find a workable solution for the medium term.

"In the meantime, routine maintenance of Flounder Rd will continue as part of the Area Maintenance Scheme for Ettalong Beach," said Mr Jury.

Mr Jury said: "The annual revenue raised by the general rate and loans with the addition of any Government funds which may be granted to Council is not substantial enough to undertake the backlog of Capital Works projects required throughout the City area inclusive of footpath and kerb and gutter construction in the immediate future".

"Individual projects identified on the Capital Works Program must be reviewed on merit each year and a priority given to those works in accordance with criteria guidelines," said Gosford.

"The current situation in Flounder Rd has arisen due to the discontinuous nature of urban redevelopment.

"The levels of the recently-completed portion of footpath is to Council's design levels.

"For Council to construct the adjoining footpath to the design levels prior to the redevelopment (and subsequent filling of the site), would cause localised flooding of the bordering properties and restrict access," he said.

Email, 2 Feb 2011 Jason Evans, Ettalong Email, 17 Feb 2011 Clint Jury, Gosford Council