News and Media

Friday, May 24, 2013

Today marks the turning of the first sod at the $5.2 million Ettalong Waterfront redevelopment, with Member for Robertson, Deborah O’Neill MP, Member for Gosford Chris Holstein MP and Mayor of Gosford City, Councillor Lawrie McKinna celebrating the start collaborative project.

Member for Robertson, Deborah O’Neill said this was a project of great pride for the entire community.

“I’m very proud of this Federal Government’s investment in our region and it is a real boost for local residents and businesses in Ettalong.

“The redevelopment of the Ettalong Beach Foreshore will help us to showcase the natural beauty of our area and will allow both locals and visitors a better chance to share the great lifestyle we enjoy here on the Central Coast.  Ms O’Neill said.

Member for Gosford, Chris Holstein welcomed the redevelopment.

“This project is long overdue, and will be appreciated by both locals and visitors alike,” said Mr Holstein.

Mayor of Gosford City, Councillor Lawrie McKinna said the local community has been very involved in this project and everyone is excited for works to be commencing.

“The local community is really getting behind this redevelopment and we are happy to see the project will be consistent with the Ettalong Beach Reserve Foreshore Plan of Management.

“Council has undergone consultation with the neighboring property owners, the Peninsula Chamber of Commerce and the Ettalong Beach Business Group, with everyone working together to ensure the redevelopment is reflective of the natural characteristics of the area and meets the needs of the local community,” Clr McKinna said.

Scheduled works include;

• The reserve area between Beach Street and the Lemon Grove netball court entry (just south of Bangalow St), will have a new sandstone seawall, cycleway/footpath, playground, park furniture, carpark realignment, stormwater infrastructure and landscaping.
• Construction of a Beach Facilities Building (café/kiosk/public toilets) at the end of Beach Street.
• Construction of a pedestrian walkway/cycleway along Lance Webb Reserve (between Picnic Parade and Ferry Road).
• Nourishment and restoration of the beach.

Construction of the new public toilet facility at Ferry Road and the demolition of the Schnapper Road public toilet in November 2011 are also included in the redevelopment project.

The Ettalong Waterfront redevelopment has a $2 million dollar funding contribution from the Federal Government, $2.79 million from Gosford City Council, $300,000 from the NSW Government’s Metropolitan Greenspace Program and just over $83,000 from the NSW Office of Environment & Heritage.