Posted on May 22, 2018
By Fiona Killman, Daily Telegraph
It has become three times a charm for Central Coast Council over the controversial Ettalong Channel dredging issue, with the State Government announcing emergency funding to bail the council out for a third consecutive time.
NSW Lands Minister Paul Toole visited Ettalong this morning to announce the government would contribute a quarter of a million dollars towards emergency works.
“The NSW government is going to provide around $250,000 of funding for emergency dredging,” he said.
“We will send surveyors out over the next week to have a look at how much needs to be dredged out.
“The NSW Government is stepping in on an emergency basis, and we are committed to working with Central Coast Council on a long-term solution for the Ettalong Channel. Adam Crouch has been knocking on my door about this issue which is a real issue for the whole community.”
He said an estimated 20,000 cubic metres of sand would have to be removed and it would take anywhere from two to four weeks to get ferries back up and running.
“We can’t wait any longer for council,” he said. “This is the third time we’ve provided emergency dredging along Ettalong Channel. We want to see it operational as quickly as possible.”
Emergency dredging is completely separate to the Rescuing Our Waterways 50/50 funding. Mr Toole said if council had been making earlier applications for the Rescuing Our Waterways funding over the past few years, the channel would not be in this situation.
“They have been applying in other parts of the Central Coast. Why not for the people of this area?” he said.
He confirmed the council had the potential to receive $1.5 million through the funding program.
Terrigal State Liberal MP Adam Crouch said council lodged the application for emergency dredging on Friday.
He said staff from the Department of Industry — Lands would work with council over the next week to help lodge a compliant application for the Rescuing Our Waterways funding.
“I don’t want to see this happen again 12 months from now,” Mr Crouch said.
“Today’s announcement provides a short-term solution for the Channel, and I look forward to council submitting a compliant Rescuing Our Waterways application to provide a longer term solution.”
Council has welcomed the emergency dredging, and Mayor Jane Smith said she was pleased the State Government accepted responsibility to keep the channel open.
“The State Government has always had the means and the funding to be able to keep the Channel open and it is pleasing to see the government now fulfil its responsibilities,” she said.
“Council has listened to our community and want a long-term solution for the dredging of the Channel — that is why we will apply for State Government funding. Preparation of that application is underway, and it will be submitted by the deadline.”
Cr Smith said based on previous years, it may take many months for applications to be determined and funding provided.
“That is why it is crucial the State Government has allocated this interim emergency funding today,” she said.
“A long-term solution is vital for the local community and the Central Coast and that is why we are asking for a working party to be set up to look at the realistic long term funding solution for the Channel.”
Peninsula Chamber of Commerce President Matthew Wales said today’s outcomes was “a start” with the State Government understanding the gravity of the issue in terms of the local economy and keeping ferries operational.
“However, this is a temporary solution that will last two to three months,” he said.
He said he was concerned the council and State Government would end up in another argument cycle over whose responsibility is it to fund dredging works.
Council has received ongoing legal advice on the matter, and maintain it is the State Government’s responsibility to dredge the channel. However, at last week’s council meeting they voted to apply for the 50/50 funding.
Hardys Bay Residents Group president Adrian Williams, who attended a meeting with Mr Toole, Mr Crouch and other community groups last week, said the issue of costing was resulting in a lot of “misinformation”.
He said a briefing from Mr Toole estimated the cost for dredging at $35 per cubic metre, including sand being pumped out, which works out at $2.8 million for dredging 80,000 cubic metres.
Source: Daily Telegraph
