Attachment1:

Submission for Public Foreshore Access and Amenity to part of Point Wolstoncroft

for General Public Use

COPY March 24, 2006 Member for Swansea PO Box 306 SWANSEA 2281 Cc: Wyong Shire Council Re: Request for State Government to undertake feasibility study for public foreshore

access and amenity to part of Point Wolstoncroft. Introduction: Demand for public foreshore access for shore-based recreational boating and passive water sports activities have increased in recent years. Consideration needs to be given to find an appropriate site in the southern section of Lake Macquarie that will cater for this increased demand and enhance lifestyle and social opportunities for Wyong shire residents. This submission seeks the support of the NSW State Government in funding and undertaking a Feasibility Study into the provision of land at Point Wolstoncroft for suitable foreshore picnic/boating facilities for the general public. Information is provided in this submission regarding some background to issues involving areas available around the Tuggerah Lakes and at the lower end of Lake Macquarie for foreshore picnic/boating facilities; issues surrounding the current use of the Sandy Beach Reserve at Summerland Point; details of a proposed site for new foreshore picnic/boating facilities; suggestions for funding the work and the ongoing maintenance of the proposed site at Point Wolstoncroft; suggestions for stakeholders to be included in the Feasibility Study and some closing comments in further support of this proposal. Your support is now sought for moving this proposal forward. Background:

1. Due to the nature of the shoreline on Tuggerah Lakes there is a paucity of suitable foreshore picnic/boating facilities available for Wyong Shire residents. While there are many foreshore reserves in the area there is only one suitable for foreshore access for water-based activities. Currently, Sandy Beach on Lake Macquarie is the only foreshore reserve facility in Wyong Shire that provides suitable access for activities such as general boating, water-skiing, aquaplaning, wakeboarding, swimming and other passive water based pursuits such as kayaking, canoeing and sailing.

2. The main attraction of Sandy Beach is the natural beauty of the area, with trees providing

shade from the hot summer sun, parking, toilet facilities, children’s playground, bbqs and picnic tables and safe clear, clean swimming for children. Large family and social groups also gather in the area to picnic in the natural surroundings and socialize.

3. Sandy Beach Reserve is also free from the proliferation of private moorings that

predominantly line residential foreshore reserves in this area that prevent general public access for water-based activities. For this reason, coupled with the protection of the site from predominant northeast summer breezes, Sandy Beach is the number one destination for water-skiers and aquaplaners.

4. The Madison Reserve at Boat Harbour Summerland Point is not utilized for foreshore

recreational boating activities as foreshore access is restricted due to the location of the public wharf and the proliferation of private moorings.

Current issues at Sandy Beach:

Overcrowding:

Due to the increase in population in the northern region of Wyong Shire, bringing a swing in demographics from predominantly retirees to people with young families, there has been a significant increase in demand for facilities at Sandy Beach resulting in overcrowding.

The increase in population means shire residents are now utilizing the foreshore reserve amenities at Sandy Beach in greater numbers. Water-skiing, wakeboarding and aquaplaning have become popular and important recreational and social activities for this region.

During peak times boating groups have little alternative but to spread outside the picnic area directly in font of foreshore homes. This in itself would not pose a problem except for the fact the shore is within 20-30 metres of residential property and activities start early in the morning and may go until as late as 8.00pm – 8.30pm.

Due to the shallow nature of the shoreline on Tuggerah Lakes and the nature of the shoreline generally, means there is limited opportunity of providing similar amenity to that of Sandy Beach anywhere on the Tuggerah Lakes system. Residents of the Shire will continue to travel to Sandy Beach for foreshore recreational boating activities. Another site offering similar conditions and amenity needs to be made available to cope with demand now and in the future.

Boating Safety, Equitable Use and Excessive Boat Noise:

Increased water-based activities at Sandy Beach recently resulted in safety, equitable use and excessive boat noise issues. Maritime NSW effectively dealt with these problems by implementing a Bay Management Plan. Under the Plan vessels traveling at speed are kept away from swimmers and passive water users and excessive boat noise is managed under Vessel Noise Control Legislation. However it is envisaged future increased demand may jeopardize the Management Plan.

Proposed Site for New Foreshore Picnic/Boating Facilities:

The location of the site is State owned land on the northern side of Pt Wolstoncroft at the western most boundary between the privately owned foreshore acreage and the National Fitness Camp on the cusp of DP801982 and DP821603 (see attached map). The site would be a good two kilometres away from activities at the Fitness Camp and the same distance from foreshore residents. Skiing groups camping overnight use this site informally. A short distance from the site is a well-established clear wide walking track accessible from the main road. The site in its current state would compare in size to that of Sandy Beach and aesthetically similar with gum trees scattered throughout the area. The only visible flora that would be disturbed in providing parking and amenities for this site would be removal of the noxious weed bitu bush. Initial inspection indicated no gum trees would need to be removed.

This area provides perfect conditions for all types of boating and passive water use providing deep, clear, clean water however there is currently no road access or suitable shore-based facilities available. As indicated, this site is already popular with those who are able to access by water and is currently utilized by waterski groups who often camp overnight. As the site is not controlled it has suffered considerable environmental vandalism (see photos). From these photos it is evident chainsaws have been bought in and many healthy trees cut down. Broken glass is strewn throughout the area and piles of rubbish exist throughout the site. It is unlikely waterski groups are to blame for this environmental damage as they tend to be family groups – unsupervised adolescents with “tinnies” and access to alcohol also camp in this area. There is a need to formalise this site to control and protect the natural environment, and the proposed development of this area will enable these issues to be addressed. The site will provide a much-needed location at the southern end of Lake Macquarie for Wyong Shire residents and visitors for foreshore social and recreational activities. Possible Funding Arrangements:

1. State funding: This area is on the cusp of two Council electorates and has been neglected in some areas. There has been considerable State capital spent on infrastructure on the northern sections of Lake Macquarie that have not suffered the population explosion of Wyong Shire.

2. Where possible future Development Plans in this area should include additional public

foreshore access and amenity to cope with increased demand. Funding for the provision of basic facilities should form part of future Development Applications. A possible example would be the proposed Rosecorp Development off Kanangra Drive Summerland Point. The site would then have direct access to the proposed new foreshore picnic reserve off Kanangra Drive creating a more balanced and attractive development.

3. Maintenance Funding: It is envisaged Wyong Shire Council be caretakers of the proposed foreshore reserve similar to that at Sandy Beach and the cost would be offset by future increase in rate revenue with the new Development.

It is envisaged the following agencies would need to be consulted and included in the process. NSW Department of Planning Dept of Sport & Recreation Representative from Point Wolstoncroft National Fitness Camp Wyong Shire Council NSW Maritime (another source of funding through their WADAMP program) Closing Comments: In consultation with an inter-agency advisory group in 2003 the Dept of Infrastructure Planning and Natural Resources undertook a study for the Central Coast Region in Assessing Recreation Demand and Opportunities. Much of the study focused on the need to develop regional and inter-regional open space systems and to consider better access to national parks and improved facilities at strategic locations. The report found there had been a swing in demographics to families and children and there was a need to provide more recreational infrastructure to take into account the boom in population. The Central Coast comprises 2 local govt areas and by 2021 the population is forecast to grow to 368,000. This is large enough to justify having a diversity of recreation facilities available and where possible better access to foreshore recreational boating. A large number of Wyong Shire residents have boating licenses and a large percentage either own or have access to a boat.

Foreshore picnicking and family/social recreational boating activities as described in this submission have increased and will continue to increase in the future. With such a growing population there is a need to secure existing opportunities in state forest areas for general open space and recreation. There needs to be a balance between the recreational use of public open space and sustainability of biodiversity issues. The rapid growth in population in Wyong Shire has seen the need to identify recreational opportunities where possible. Part of Point Wolstoncroft contains the Fitness Camp controlled and operated by the Department of Sport & Recreation. The State owned land bounded within Pt Wolstoncroft is more than large enough to facilitate a small area of foreshore at the northwestern extremity to be set aside for general open space and public use. The area in question is already being used informally. Formalizing this area will ensure it is properly controlled and managed and will address the environmental vandalism currently occurring in this area as it has with Sandy Beach. The opening of part of this area for public foreshore access would be an unrivalled asset for Wyong Shire residents and for future generations. It would be appreciated if this proposal were given serious consideration.

Attachment 1:Photo Attachments

Figure 1 Foreshore view of proposed site

Figure 2 Foreshore ideal for boating

Figure 3 Shoreline indicates perfect conditions - shallow at first then becoming deeper

Figure 4 - Deep Clear Clean Water

Figure 5 Indicating natural beauty of site

Figure 6 Site gives good access to Pulbah Is.

Figure 7 Photo indicates site already well cleared

Figure 8 indicates site destroyed by vandals

Figure 9 - heavy use of chainsaws in area

Figure 10 - felled tree from chainsaw above

Figure 11- another felled tree

Figure 12 Indicates chainsaws

Figure 13 - View back to water showing more felled trees

Figure 14 - Use of chainsaws and axes

Figure 15 - Closer view of use of chainsaws & axes

Figure 16 - Another healthy tree with similar fate

Figure 17- indicates illegal campsites - use of felled trees

Figure 18 - healthy tree on foreshore felled by chainsaw.

Figure 19 - View of tree felled tree from figure 18

Figure 20 - indicates uncontrolled use and vandalism of the area

Figure 21 - Broken glass and litter are strewn throughout the site

Attachment 2

Attachment 3:

Response to submission to date:

26 April 06

Letter from Milton Orkpolous advising representations had been made to Minister for Tourism, Sport & Rec Sandra Nori supporting the submission. 4 May 06

Letter from Wyong Shire Council (Ref: DGC:CS F2004/00690) advising Council felt the proposal a worthwhile project and warrants further investigation. Formally requested Milton Orkopolous to forward the matter to State Govt for consideration. 5 May 06 Letter from Jill Saffron Manager, NSW Maritime Office of the Chief Executive. Ref No: 06/00311 advising Joe Tripodie Minister for Ports and Waterways is in receipt of submission and response provided asap. 19 June 06

Letter from Joe Tripodi Minister for Ports & Waterways (Ref No: 0/00311). Advised that NSW Maritime provides funding for the development of boating facilities through the Maritime Infrastructure Program (MIP) and should this proposal progress, may be suitable for funding on a 50/50 basis. 9 October 06

Response from Kill Cull Executive Director Corporate Governance & Support Services Deparrtment of Planning (Ref No: D06/5197) to Milton Orkopolous referring to letter to Sandra Nori indicating letter forwarded to Hon F Sartor Minister for Planning for his consideration. 3 December 06 Letter from Frank Sartor Minister for Planning (Ref No: D06/5197) advising NPWS in conjunction with Sport & Rec have responsibility for land. Department Planning responsible for future planning of Rosecorp land at Gwandalan. Advised an assessment will be made of the regional infrastructure needs of the new development and the contribution that the development will need to make towards that infrastructure. Referred me to Dept Planning Regional Director Michael Leavey. Sent copy of submission to General Manger Dept Sport & Rec Pt Wolstoncroft. Supports submission - advised the proposed area in question for public access is difficult to manage by Dept of Sport & Rec. Currently site accessible only by boat and suffers vandalism. Supports public access where area can be appropriately managed by Council. January 29 2007

Spoke with Michael Leavey Dept Planning Central Coast. Mr Leavey and I discussed

submission. Mr Leavey advised he would brief Michael File Team Leader Urban Assessments Senior Planner and ask him to call me.

Received a call from Michael File Team Leader Urban Assessements Senior Planner Dept Planning. He indicated the proposal was sound and could form part of the development application under infrastructure.

Received call from Bob Rose –. Keen on proposal forming part of development

application He will be meeting with Frank Sartor next week to adjuticate on concept plan. Emailed proposal and responses to date.