Last week, a roundtable discussion was held on the topic of the proposed dredging at Ettalong Channel in the NSW Central Coast.
Chaired by Parliamentary Secretary for the Central Coast Scot MacDonald MLC, the meeting was attended by representatives from Department of Premier & Cabinet, Department of Industry – Lands and Forestry (DoI), Roads and Maritime Services (RMS), Central Coast Council, Peninsula Chamber of Commerce and Fantasea Cruises.
According to Mr MacDonald, the meeting was convened following concerns about the sediment buildup in the waterway.
“ As a result of the discussion, Central Coast Council will submit a request to the NSW Government for emergency dredging work to be completed at Ettalong Channel to provide an immediate, short-term solution to the problem ,” Mr MacDonald said. “ Whilst a long-term solution for the continued management of the channel wasn’t reached today, all parties have agreed to work together to resolve the issue. ”
DoI has offered to assist Central Coast Council to prepare their application for the next round of funding available in the NSW Government’s Rescuing Our Waterways program, which covers up to 50 percent of the cost of dredging projects undertaken by a council.
Member for Terrigal Adam Crouch said that the last week’s talks were encouraging and he welcomed the short-term solution that was reached.
If all goes according to plan, the channel dredging — estimated to cost around $5 million — could begin in the next couple of months. The channel was last dredged in 2010.
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