Central Coast Council has reaffirmed that it is willing assist the State Government to dredge the Ettalong Channel as long as it covers the full cost.

Council is seeking to help the community better understand its position, through an education campaign including an online survey.

Council has received three legal opinions about this issue and it is clear that the NSW government is responsible for the dredging of the channel for navigation purposes. The seabed is Crown Land (owned by the State Government) and Roads and Maritime Services (RMS) has a clear legal responsibility to maintain the channel for navigation.

Mayor Jane Smith said this is cost-shifting by the State Government to expect Council to fund even 50 percent of the works and that the funding would need to come from the essential services Council needs to provide to the community.

“If Council must find the funding to dredge the channel, we would have to take funding away from essential services and priority projects,” Mayor Smith said.

“We empathise with the Ettalong community and understand that an immediate solution is required.

“We call on the NSW government to fulfil their responsibilities by providing funding to maintain the navigation channel in Brisbane Water.”

The issue of dredging of the Channel has been considered at a number of meetings of Council. The most recent resolution of 23 April 2018 called on Council staff to investigate making an application for ‘Rescue Our Waterways’ funding from the NSW Government, a meeting with the Minister for Roads and Transport, and a fact sheet for distribution to the community and marine users to explain Council’s position.

“Council has followed through on this resolution and has requested an urgent meeting with the Minister to resolve this matter,” Mayor Smith said.

“We will make an application for funding on the clear proviso that the full funding is provided by the State Government.

“The community need to understand there are clear ramifications for the Coast including potential loss of services if Council is required to fund what is clearly a State Government responsibility.”

Council is calling for further feedback from the community and has developed on online survey at yourvoiceourcoast.com