Member for The Entrance David Mehan says Central Coast Council has dismissed community concerns about its plans for new public amenities buildings within the Long Jetty Foreshore Reserve.
Council responded to concerns raised by Mehan and residents last week regarding a possible loss of amenities and indefinite plans for the relocation of historical information signage.
Council said that while the four amenity buildings along the 3.5km pathway in Long Jetty would be retained, two of them would be “renewed”, each with “three new, modern cubicles”.
But Mehan said residents were unhappy with the response.
“Council’s response confirms that the amenities buildings will be reduced to three cubicles in each of the upgraded buildings,” he said.
“The current buildings contain seven cubicles each, together with changerooms and showers.
“Concerned local residents continue to collect signatures for a petition circulating regarding the Council’s plans, which will be presented to Council next week.
“It’s unacceptable for the Council to think that an area like Long Jetty can see a reduction in cubicles from 14 down to six, with the complete removal of existing showers and changerooms.
“It flies in the face of the community that basic amenities can be reduced without their input.
“Council needs to meet with and listen to the community’s concerns before any work commences.”
Mehan said there were also concerns over what would happen to historical signage currently displayed on one of the amenities blocks.
Council says it is not planning on removing the signage permanently, but intends to meet with concerned members of the community to seek input on where is best to relocate it after the new amenities buildings are completed.
But Mehan said it was not good enough that council had no firm plans in place for the maintenance and placement of historical information signage at the Archbold Rd amenities building.
“This should have been at the forefront of Council’s mind when the plans were developed,” he said.
Terry Collins