Residents at Avoca Beach are fed up with footpaths they describe as “nothing more than goat tracks” and vegetation encroaching onto busy Avoca Dr following a landslide two years ago.
One resident, who did not wish to be named, said he was concerned for the safety of residents and visitors and the promotion of local businesses.
He said the landslide, which saw trees and debris plummet down a hillside towards Avoca Dr following heavy rains in 2021, “now appears to have become a permanent feature of Avoca Beach”.
He said Central Coast Council had done little following the landslide aside from constructing small concrete barriers, which were now at risk of damage from continually slipping vegetation.
“I appears Council has put this in the too-hard basket,” he said.
Quite apart from concerns over the vegetation undermining Avoca Dr, he said residents of hilltop properties were also in fear of further slippages.
He claimed Avoca Beach was often left behind in prioritising Council works.
“While landslides and beach erosion at Wamberal and Terrigal Beaches were dealt with rather hastily this has not been addressed,” he said.
He said residents were also concerned at the lack of footpaths in the area, particularly along Avoca Dr between Heazlett Park and the Avoca Hotel, Avoca Beach Bowling Club, Cafe and Shady Palms Restaurant.
“There are open overgrown drains along the length of Avoca Dr,” he said.
He said Heazlett Park was the site for regular sporting fixtures and monthly markets, with hundreds of people regularly accessing it.
Conditions around Avoca Beach Picture Theatre were also raising concerns.
“Many elderly people attend the Avoca Theatre and the footpath, bus stop and adjacent parking area are nothing more than goat tracks,” the resident said.
“The overflow carpark off Burns St is dangerous, especially for children and the elderly.
“Virtually every carpark around the beach, the theatre and tennis courts require remedial works.
“My frustrations (centre around) how Central Coast Council prioritises capital works.
“The footpath has been replaced and widened along the Central Coast Hwy at Erina and at West Gosford adjacent to stadium.
“There are huge capital works (underway) at Copacabana, North Avoca and Norah Head.
“The project that I am really perplexed with is the Central Coast Hwy footpath at Magenta.
“This must be a multi -million-dollar project, but I travel this section of road frequently and seldom see more than a handful of pedestrians.”
He said while he understands that capital works required funding, the sale of unused Council land at Avoca Beach could fund much-needed maintenance.
A Council spokesperson said officers were continuing to develop a remediation plan to carry out repairs at the site of the landslide adjacent to the Avoca Beach shopping strip.
“(This) is being costed to allow for a grant funding submission to be made to Transport for NSW,” the spokesperson said.
“The carrying out of works will be subject to receipt of grant funding and relevant planning approvals.
“At this time, a timeframe is not available for these works to be completed.”
Council has also inspected the footpath and area surrounding the Avoca Theatre and scheduled maintenance repairs to the footpath, trimming of vegetation overhanging the footpath, signage repairs, road edge break repairs and clearing of drainage.
“These works will be undertaken on a priority risk basis in line with Council’s current service levels,” the spokesperson said.
“While there are no specific planned works for footpaths around Heazlett Park, Council’s Active Transport Plan also contains a number of proposed footpath/shared path projects in the Avoca Beach and surrounding areas including along Avoca Dr with a connection from the existing shared path at Kincumber to Avoca Beach.
“The provision of new infrastructure, including footpaths and shared paths, are generally listed for consideration of funding through Council’s Capital Works Program.
“These works are prioritised against technical criteria which results in a ranking of projects, with the highest ranked projects considered for funding in the development of yearly capital works programs.
“With limited budgets, many of the identified pathway projects are unlikely to be delivered for some years with Council currently focusing on the delivery of renewal and existing grant funded or contribution plan funded works.”
Council encourages residents who have maintenance concerns to make a report directly to Council for investigation and response via the Customer Service Centre at www.centralcoast.nsw.gov.au/contact-us/online-services or by calling 4306 7900.
Terry Collins