Pollution protectors to be installed

A stormwater litter boom and two gross pollutant protectors will be installed on the Peninsula.
The stormwater litter boom will be installed at Woy Woy, while the gross pollutant protectors are to be built at Umina and Ettalong beaches to stop large rubbish entering the ocean.
Gosford Council says the Berith Street outlet at Umina and the Beach Street outlet at Ettalong have litter problems.
The council received an Environmental Protection Authority grant to install the extra pollutant interceptors at Umina and Ettalong beaches.
These measures were taken as part of Council’s $1.4 million Environmental Levy Project (ELP).
Council also received a $70,000 grant from the State Government’s Stormwater Trust Program.
Cr Bockholt was concerned about the overall plans for stormwater management.
She said it was, "not civilised now to have "stormwater running directly on to the beach at Ettalong and Umina.
"We should make an effort to get rid of them," she said.
Council manager, Mr Alsop, said the Ettalong outlet would be extended under the resort works and further along the rock wall, towards the sea and away from the beach.
Cr Rowe said this was not a long term solution but only moving the symptoms further out.
Mr Alsop said Council did have long term plans including taking advantage of a $150,000 sand filtration grant from the State Government and implementing a strategy for public education on stormwater.
Council will instigate a $30,000 community education program to increase awareness of littering on the water environment.
Council officers say the quality and quantity of litter will be monitored to see if the community education is effective.
Other ELP plans include works to the Mt Ettalong floodplain.
Maintenance trials and council inspections were undertaken and officers recommended work be done regarding the creek floodplain.