Demolition plans for Empire Bay’s historic boatshed were “progressing” despite the Empire Bay Heritage Boat Shed Association’s vow to keep fighting to keep it.
Although Crown Lands has not specified a timeline, it has announced plans were underway to remove the dilapidated boatshed and other infrastructure at the former Empire Bay Marina to allow for a full clean-up of the contaminated site.
The Empire Bay Heritage Boatshed Association has accused Crown Lands of withholding important documentation from the public and announcing demolition plans which were yet to be approved by Council.
Last month, several hundred people gathered on site for the latest in a series of protest meetings, with membership of the association now over 300.
Spokesperson Errol Baker said the community was “right behind” the association in its determination to save one of the last remaining historic boatsheds in the region.
“It was a great turnout on Saturday, with Member for Terrigal Adam Crouch and historian Peter Rae both addressing the crowd,” he said.
“There has been no development application lodged for this demolition work.
“We understand Crown Lands has received an extension from the Environment Protection Authority to get its paperwork in order.
“When that DA is finally lodged, Council will refer it to the Central Coast Local Planning Panel.
“This announcement from Crown Lands is premature.
“No heritage report has been released and despite a section of the EPA report saying all information must be released to relevant stakeholders, an engineer’s report has been removed from the Crown Lands website, with our association advised we will have to apply for the relevant information under GIPA (Government Information Public Access) at a cost of around $1,800.
“Crown Lands has said engineering advice warns the boatshed building is unstable and at risk of collapse during remediation work but that report said it was only in danger of collapse during the removal of fuel tanks- it’s not going to fall apart by itself.
“Because the danger is presented by erosion on the eastern side, we have suggested to Crown Lands that the boatshed could be shored up so there was no danger of collapse but have had no response.”
Baker said Crown Lands had marked out the demolition zone with orange tape on July 21 but continued to ignore approaches from the association.
“They are making statements when they don’t really have authority to do so and costing documents have also been made confidential,” he said.
“At every turn we are running into brick walls.”
A statement issued by Crown Lands said engineering advice warned the boatshed building was unstable and at risk of collapse during remediation work.
It said initial work would involve removal of the former boatshed, jetties and underground fuel tanks and then remediation of the underground tank area.
“This will allow for additional contamination testing to be done safely to guide a full site cleanup in stage 2,” the statement said.
Crown Lands Executive Director of Land and Asset Management Greg Sullivan said documentation was being finalised to support planning approvals for the work with discussions continuing with Central Coast Council.
“Crown Lands is preparing supporting documentation to remove the infrastructure including a statement of heritage impact as the boatshed is listed as an item of local heritage significance in the Central Coast Local Environmental Plan 2022,” Sullivan said.
“Crown Lands has engaged a heritage consultant to document the boatshed and investigate any items that could potentially be saved and made available for interpretive reuse.
“Once completed, this information will be made available on the department’s website.”
Member for Terrigal Adam Crouch addressed last month’s protest meeting saying all information relating to the boatshed site needed to be made publicly available to the community.
“I have written to the Minister responsible for Crown Lands to outline the concerns of the community and invite him to see the site for himself,” Crouch said.
“All options need to be on the table for consideration, and this is what I will continue to push for on behalf of the Empire Bay community.”
Terry Collins
Crown Lands refusal to release documents requested is a direct contravention of clause 9 of the Voluntary Plan of Management (VPM).
Their narrative on why the boat shed must be removed has changed over time, the latest being the claim that the boat shed could be destabilised during fuel tank removal. The Association has received a plan by a structural engineer to remove the risk of collapse during remediation by stabilising the area – costed at $7,140.
Crown Lands refuse to come to the table and actually discuss the issue.
The boat shed is over 100 years old
Heritage listed
Built by Arthur Davis (ship builder)
Has close links to the ship building heritage of the area