CHAMBER BACKS ETTALONG BEACH FORESHORE RENOURISHMENT

The Chamber has today backed the Federal Government’s election commitment of $1.8M towards the renourishment and repair of the Ettalong Beach foreshore between Picnic Parade and Ferry Road.

“The Chamber had worked very closely with the Federal Member Dr. Gordon Reid leading up to the last Federal Election and was delighted when his office confirmed the commitment of $1.8M towards saving the Ettalong Beach waterfront from further erosion”, said Peninsula Chamber President Matthew Wales.

“The current state of the beach between Picnic Parade and Ferry Road is a disgrace and should never have been allowed to continually erode to the point where the foreshore reserve is now under severe threat”.

“The Federal funding will be made available to Central Coast Council through Infrastructure Australia subject to application being made through the funding portal in October”, said Matthew Wales.

“Whilst we acknowledge that the funding process and preparation of the renourishment plans will take time, it is important that Central Coast Council is encouraged to act quickly in securing the funds and preparing the necessary plans and reports for the work to commence as soon as possible”.

“We know that the Council has been looking at this project as part of the ongoing dredging of the Ettalong Beach channel and the Chamber was disappointed that the NSW State Government did not start the renourishment works during the last dredging cycle”, said Matthew Wales.

“This is also an opportunity for the NSW State Government to add State funding to the $1.8M from monies that were going to be expended on the next round of dredging”.

“It is imperative that the scope of works is established early and that every advantage is taken to restore the beach and augment the Ettalong Beach reserve”, said Matthew Wales.

“Ettalong Beach is arguably one of the best estuarine waterfronts in New South Wales and it is extremely disappointing that action to restore the beach has not been taken sooner”.

“The Chamber will be working very closely with Dr. Gordon Reid’s office to ensure that our local community obtains the best possible outcome from the federal funding”, said Matthew Wales. 

“It is a credit to the Federal Member that he taken such a pro-active role in this project”. 

END

Matthew Wales
President
0415 634 232