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Collapse Issue 594:<br />13 May 2024<br />_____________Issue 594:
13 May 2024
_____________
Collapse  NEWS NEWS
High density planning controls start today
Washed out!
Three groups join for Ettalong foreshore tree proposal
Soccer president wins community service award
Two derelict boats removed from Patonga
Club suffers suspected data breach
Marine Rescue unit is second busiest
Fire brigade asked to help ambulance service*
Groups campaigns for permanent removal of shark nets
Anderson Park playground to be moved to Spencer
Regulator unsure of spearpoint compliance
Chamber calls for crossing collaboration
Rotary members attend assembly at Penrith*
Meet new friends at Rotary morning coffee*
Joint presidency and directorships for Rotary board*
Brigade asks people to consider donating to flood relief*
CWA branch presents $1900 to court service
Memories of the airstrip
Opportunity to find out more about CWA branch*
CWA opens Wednesday morning 'shop'
Brigade holds First Aid and resuscitation refresher*
Surf club attends two Anzac ceremonies
Gentle Storytime offered at Woy Woy library*
Historian retraces route of first car to reach Woy Woy
Father Timothy formally installed
Justice of the Peace service at information centre*
Fire at laundromat*
Mary Mac's hamper room topped up
Biggest Morning Tea event includes entertainment
Community garden promotes 'seed library'
Seniors' centre on the lookout for skilled individuals*
Dr Swain leads his final Anzac service
Produce swap to be held at community garden*
Fire brigade holds session for trainees*
Wheelchair basketball among the holiday activities*
Youth Yarn Up to be held at Mingaletta*
The highest May rainfall in 20 years already
Collapse  PLANNING PLANNING
Collapse  FORUM FORUM
Collapse  ARTS ARTS
Collapse  EDUCATION EDUCATION
Collapse  SPORT SPORT

EXTRA!!!

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Funding needed for beach, but not to destroy dunes

With reference to the article in edition 593 of Peninsula News (April 29) regarding a Petition for upgrade of Ettalong Beach, I would like to point out that the western section of Ettalong Beach close to Ettalong Point is not suitable for swimming.

Therefore it would be extremely inadvisable for family activities to be encouraged on the beach in this area, when other locations are much more suitable and safer.

The beach here has always been popular for fishing as the water is very deep close to the beach and there are very strong currents.

Recently two one-metre flathead were caught from the beach at this location so there are undoubtedly much larger animals in the water, which is the entrance to Brisbane Water right at Half Tide Rocks.

It is definitely not suitable for swimming and the water is in fact very dangerous and is where a man drowned earlier this year.

It is presently also a popular meeting place for jet-ski riders.

The section of the beach that is very family-friendly is the northern section between the Box Restaurant and the Public Wharf and has been for more than 100 years.

Unfortunately, hundreds of metres of this beach are at present virtually unusable for swimming, walking and boating as the beach has eroded and large rocks in the water make it hazardous.

The rocks in the water appeared soon after the building of a revetment wall in 2015 and require complete removal if satisfactory remediation of the beach is to be achieved.

It is this northern section of the beach that requires funding for restoration, as it is presently in a woeful state and detracts from the attraction of the whole area.

It is readily accessible from Lance Webb Reserve and parking is available in the nearby streets.

The cost of restoration of this section of beach would probably soon be recovered from increased tourism.

I have been swimming at Ettalong Beach for 70 years along the northern section.

The water has been clean, sandy, shallow and safe in the past.

I have never even considered swimming near the Point because of the inherent dangers, and it distresses me to see young children in the deep water there, even though parts of the beach itself are in the best condition almost in living memory.

It seems that people who swim there must be oblivious to the hazards.

With respect to the proposals mentioned in the article, the wide dunes in the areas on both sides of the Point between The Esplanade road and the beach have natural vegetation that has taken years to re-establish and are vitally important to prevent erosion of the beach, which in this area has been severe in the past.

Destroying the dunes and creating more hard surfaces and car parking would be a disaster.

The natural vegetation is a haven for birds and other creatures and is absolutely essential for the environment and natural resistance to weathering of the beach.

The natural dunes are beautiful in themselves and do not need further man-made "beautification".

Hopefully, funding can be found for the restoration of damage to Ettalong Beach, but not for destruction of dunes and vegetation and creation of hard surfaces.





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