Residents are furious over a pause on works to upgrade the Killcare wharf and a lack of communication from Central Coast Council.
The wharf was closed to the public on August 7, with a sign on-site indicating maintenance works would take about four weeks (later amended to 10 weeks).
Soon after the closure, works were halted with no explanation offered by Council.
Tracy Hawes, who lives close to the wharf, said she had watched Council begin demolition works speedily, only to apparently abandon the site almost immediately after.
“The community would appreciate this work being done as swiftly as possible as the wharf has been out of action for a while now,” she said.
“This wharf affects the small business in Killcare and families who use this wharf for recreation.
“With the warmer weather upon us, delays in repairs would be very disappointing.”
Hawes said people who lived on their boats, even part-time, were suffering greatly as they had no access now to water and supplies.
“Some of these people have been in the area for a long time and are elderly,” she said.
“They are truly disadvantaged and becoming isolated.
“What happens if there is an emergency or medical event?
“The wharf area is also a gathering place in case of a disaster like fires.
“There is only one road out of our area; (remaining access) is by water.
“I guess we’d have to swim if there is a bushfire emergency as boats are out of the question.
“I saw small boats trying to come to shore on the weekend, only to get bogged in the mud making it difficult to get anywhere.”
Another concerned resident said it was not only boat owners in Hardys Bay and the surrounding bays, who regularly used the wharf for picking up family and friends to go sailing, who were being affected.
“The wharf is used for water supply to replenish boat water tanks,” he said.
Yacht charters regularly pick-up clients, with the season set to get underway next month and diners often arrive by boat to patronise Bells of Killcare and Hardys Bay Club, he said.
Hawes said the wharf was a safety risk as it stood, with access from the shore still possible and a very real risk of injury to inquisitive children.
A Council spokesperson said a heritage assessment was the cause of the hold-up.
“The maintenance works on the Killcare wharf have temporarily halted to allow for an external heritage consultant to access and undertake an assessment of the wharf and its structure,” the spokesperson said.
“The wharf has been temporarily closed for the replacement of the head stocks, bearers and decking as they are deteriorated and this is addressing safety concerns.
“The heritage assessment is being undertaken to ensure that the repairs are consistent with the heritage value of the area.
“Council engaged an appropriately experienced consultant to complete this assessment.
“Once the heritage assessment is finalised, any recommendations will be actioned, prior to the maintenance works proceeding.
“Council apologies for any inconvenience caused to the public and will provide further information including a timeframe for the maintenance works once the heritage assessment is completed (when) the works will be expedited.”
But Hawes says other wharves on the Peninsula, also listed on the heritage list, have been repaired and had structural changes.
Residents are wondering why demolition was commenced before appropriate heritage checks had been made.
They are calling for regular updates from Council on a timeline for completion of the upgrade.
Terry Collins