Copacabana, Killcare and Umina beaches remain closed (as at Thursday) as Central Coast Council continues the mammoth clean-up following the severe storms of March 18-23.
So far clean-up efforts have seen more than 220 tonnes of wrack and flood debris collected from over 4km of foreshore and 710 tonnes of debris collected from beaches.
This included 615 tonnes of seaweed from Terrigal Haven and mixed debris from Patonga, Umina, Ettalong, Killcare, Avoca and Shelly Beach.
More than 3,000 potholes across the road networks have been repaired and significant road repairs have been completed at George Downs Rd, Kulnura, Aspen Ave, Terrigal, and Lace Ave, Umina Beach.
The Central Coast community has delivered 1,146 tonnes of storm related waste to Council’s waste management facilities with over 70 per cent of this material diverted from landfill and 1.38 tonnes of seagrass wrack free of charge.
A Central Coast spokesperson said Copacabana, Killcare and Umina beaches would remain closed until at least late this week (ending April 9) due to water quality concerns.
All other ocean beaches are open, but Council advises residents to make informed decisions around swimming by checking the NSW Government’s daily pollution predictions, listening to lifeguard and lifesavers instructions and keeping an eye on Council’s Central Coast beaches update webpage for more information.
Daily bulk kerbside bookings have increased from an average of around 600 collections per day in the weeks immediately prior to the flood event to around 1,000 collections per day post storm.
Residents are reminded that Council will ensure flood affected bulk waste is collected, but collections must be booked through the 1coast website or on 1300 126 278.
Meanwhile, the Australian and NSW governments are looking ahead to the next stage of clean-up, with clean-up and recovery grants being provided through the joint Commonwealth-State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA).
Member for Robertson, Lucy Wicks, said the governments have agreed to cost share recovery grants to small business of up $50,000 and grants to primary producers of up $75,000.
“The package will provide direct assistance to residents, primary producers and small businesses to clean up and dispose of debris from their properties, and help them get back on their feet,” Wicks said.
“These storms and floods have been an enormous blow on the back of the bushfires, but I know that communities in the region are resilient and, with the support of the Australian and NSW governments, they will recover strongly from this latest set-back.”
The program includes: assistance to residents in flood affected areas whose homes have been damaged by floodwaters; the clean-up of essential public assets and community, recreation and cultural assets including sporting fields; help for primary producers and small business to clean-up and dispose of flood related debris from their properties; the clean-up and restoration of environmental assets; and funds to cover additional costs incurred by affected councils and relevant state agencies.
Grants for small businesses and primary producers are designed to provide short-term targeted assistance for recovery and reinstatement activities, including salvaging crops and repairs to damaged farm infrastructure and equipment.
Source:
Media releases, Apr 7
Central Coast Council and Member for Robertson, Lucy Wicks