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Committee calls for study outcomes

Gosford Council's Coastal and Estuary Advisory Committee has recommended that council await the outcomes of the Brisbane Water Estuary Plan and Brisbane Water Flood Study before finalising the Ettalong Beach Reserve Plan of Management.

Peninsula residents and members of the Peninsula Dunecare group, Mr Michael Gillian and Ms Margaret Lund, gave a short talk on the Ettalong Beach Reserve Plan of Management to the committee at its meeting of August 24.

Mr Gillian provided the committee with a document outlining his concerns.

In the report, Mr Gillian stated that the development of detailed plans had to be done in an open, transparent way involving all stakeholders including the community and should include expert professional input from an environmental or dune specialist.

The report stated that the plan of management made no reference to erosion problems on Lance Webb Reserve, Ettalong, nor was there room for a joint cycleway through this reserve, as stated in the plan of management.

Mr Gillian also commented on part of the plan which stated that "based on 1996 predictions, if no remedial action is undertaken between Picnic Pde and Memorial Ave in the next five years then undermining of this road will probably occur after this time if there is a severe storm".

He said that the area had been protected with "excellent vegetation and the formation of an incipient dune and a stabalised main dune".

"Compare this with Lance Webb Reserve which has no vegetation or dunal protection," Mr Gillian stated.

"The plan notes that the urban fabric of the town was built too close to the natural zone of shoreline movement.

"The dunes and dune vegetation protect this urban fabric from erosion and flooding."

Mr Gillian also pointed out that the Ferry Park and South Beach sectors, with very limited vegetation, suffered from erosion and the continual requirement to remove sand from causeways and The Esplanade when southerlies blow.

"The Esplanade is also in danger of being undermined near Kourung St," Mr Gillian stated.

"There is no doubt that the plan suffers from inadequate expert environmental input but there is also a need to recognise conditions are changing.

"We also now have a much better understanding of the importance of the role of coastal dunes and vegetation and also of the why this area is very vulnerable.

"The Brisbane Water Estuary study will provide further light on the challenges this area faces."

The report stated that if council was intent to move forward with detailed plans it needed to understand site-wide issues.

"Initial consultant thoughts involved the removal of all the incipient dune, introduction of three large viewing platforms, a widening of the causeway fronting The Esplanade by destroying some of the main dune and the removal of coastal tea trees to provide better views.

"Such actions would destroy the integrity of the dune system and quickly bring about erosion as on Lance Webb Reserve."

Mr Gillian and Ms Lund asked the no plans be progressed for the fragile and vulnerable area that destroy the environment and the dunes and create major infrastructure risks for the future.

The plan of management was approved by council in May 2003 but has not yet had government approval.

The committee expressed concern at any potential plan which it believed may cause loss or degradation of the foreshore."

Council agenda CE/05/4, CE.020 October 4 Council agenda Q.104, COR.32, September 27