Concern over Long Jetty amenities upgrade

Member for The Entrance David Mehan has called on Central Coast Council to review its plans for new public amenities buildings within the Long Jetty Foreshore Reserve.

Council has recently notified residents that two of the existing amenities buildings have reached their end of life and are due for replacement.

This work is due to commence in February.

Mehan said residents were pleased to hear Council was providing new amenities buildings to service the area and tourists who came from far and wide.

But they are concerned at the huge reduction in size of the proposed facilities, including the removal all changerooms and showers, he said.

Mehan wrote to Council voicing residents’ concerns and highlighting that the new buildings will provide half of the existing amenities at the current sites.

Residents have also been advised that Council will not keep the heritage signage at the building at the end of Archbold Rd, which displays and explains the history of the area.

“This upgrade and revitalisation of the amenities blocks is welcome news,” Mehan said.

“Council does need to review its current plans, however, must provide a like-for-like replacement given the patronage Long Jetty now sees.

“The heritage signage of Long Jetty needs to be reinstated upon construction of the new building at Archbold Rd.

“Council needs to do all it can to ensure we don’t lose the identity of our area currently imprinted on the building that makes for informative reading for tourists.”

A Council spokesperson reassured residents that the four amenity buildings along the 3.5km pathway in Long Jetty would be retained.

“However two of the buildings are being renewed as they are at the end of life and in poor condition, and do not meet current codes and standards as well as subject to flooding,” the spokesperson said.

“The design of these two buildings will be more contemporary, incorporating technology, and allow for easier and safer access for all users and also enable better access for cleaning crews thus enabling them to work more efficiently and quickly.

“The existing outdoor shower will not be removed; it will be reactivated and retained as part of the works and renewed buildings.

“There will be three new, modern cubicles in each of the two upgraded buildings.

“A review of usage was undertaken indicating that three cubicles in each renewed amenity block would meet visitor needs, remembering that there will still be a total of four public toilet buildings along the 3.5km stretch of walkway.”

The spokesperson said the renewed amenity blocks will also incorporate digital technology in their daily locking and un-locking system.

“Currently security guards physically lock and unlock them every day at sunset and sunrise,” they said.

“By having an electronic locking and unlocking ability, it will save costs and generate consistency, and also mean they can be reprogrammed digitally to cater for community or private events which might be on in the area, requiring the toilets to be open for longer, or be opened earlier.

“Council is currently developing a Public Toilet Strategy for the entire Central Coast, which will be exhibited for public consultation in coming months.

“The aim is that the final strategy will guide the management and development of the public toilet network over the next 10 years.

“In relation to the historical signage, Council is not planning on removing the signage permanently, but rather (meeting) with representatives of the concerned members of the community to seek input on where is best to relocate the historical information signage within the vicinity after the new amenities buildings are completed.”