Council withdraws reserve from reclassification process

Central Coast Council has withdrawn the Austin Butler reserve from its reclassification process and will proceed immediately with a community consultation about the future of the land.

"The site was originally included in the bulk reclassification after Council was approached by Peninsula Plaza and their major tenant (Woolworths) to purchase the site to address identified safety risks," said Council Administrator Mr Rik Hart.

"I have chosen to remove the parcel entirely from this bulk reclassification process," said Mr Hart.

"I have asked that the community be engaged as soon as possible to seek their formal feedback."

He said the consultation would present two options: "A) Retain the site in Council ownership, meaning the trees on the site remain in their current condition, or B) Proceed with a sale and allocate all proceeds of that sale to an extensive greening program for the Peninsula region.

"I am impartial to both options (A) and (B) and will be completely guided by the community's response through the formal consultation process on what is ultimately determined for this site.

"I look forward to receiving the results of this community engagement via a summary report back to Council as soon as possible."

Mr Hart said it was originally intended to use the community consultation stage of the reclassification process "to provide the community with a formal opportunity to have their say".

"It is clear that some confusion has occurred about the steps involved in the reclassification and sale process."

The decision to withdraw the reserve from the reclassification process was "to alleviate fears or concerns".

Mr Hart said the option of putting the proceeds of a sale to greening program was prompted by concern expressed about the "heat island effect" on the Peninsula.

"Such a program could provide funding for approximately 8500 trees to be sourced, planted and maintained to maturity," he said.

"This would go a long way in providing long-term progress in greening the local area and mitigating the impacts of climate change to the benefit of future generations.

"It's initiatives like this which could achieve a significant advancement towards the objectives of Council's Greener Places Strategy."

Mr Hart said the consultation would be conducted throught the council's www.yourvoiceourcoast.com website.

SOURCE:

Website, 27 Sep 2023

Rik Hart, Central Coast Council

Ettalong ferry service may not resume for weeks

Resumption of the Palm Beach ferry service to Ettalong and Wagstaffe may be weeks away, according to ferry operator Fantasea Palm Beach Ferries.

"We are looking to resume services within the coming weeks and will post an update once we can confirm a start date," the company stated last Friday, September 29.

"Palm Beach Ferries is working with Transport for NSW to resume services back to Ettalong and Wagstaffe.

"More critical analysis of the channel and operational controls by Palm Beach Ferries are currently taking place."

Earlier hopes to have the ferry operating from Ettalong in the week leading up to the long weekend or even from tomorrow were dashed when operator Fantasea stated on its website: "Due to shifting sand bars in the Ettalong Channel, our Central Coast service from Palm Beach will keep operating to Patonga, until further notice.

"We will not be operating services as of Monday, September 25, back to Ettalong or Wagstaffe.

"More critical analysis of the channel needs to be made if our vessels can safely operate on a regular basis within the channel."

Earlier Ms Tesch announced that dredging of the Ettalong Channel had been completed, six weeks ahead of schedule.

"Hydrographic studies have confirmed that emergency dredging works have been completed, removing 30,000 cubic metres of sand from the channel, with ferry operations safe to resume as soon as ferry operators complete necessary compliance checks and crew training.

"The channel has now reopened for all vessels across recreation and business.

"I look forward to working alongside Minister Haylen and Transport for NSW to create a 10-year plan for future dredging projects, including options for future dredging campaigns to place sand in areas along the Ettalong foreshore."

SOURCE:

Social media, 29 Sep 2023

Fantasea Palm Beach Ferries

Media release, 21 Sep 2023

Media statement, 29 Sep 2023

Liesl Tesch, Member for Gosford