Protest sparks review of park for roadworks storage

A resident objecting to the Department of Transport using public open space at Ettalong Beach for two years while it does roadworks in the area has thrown a spanner in the works plan.

NSW Transport for NSW (TfNSW) approached Central Coast Council for a licence over part of Kitchener Park at 15 Maitland Bay Dr and 32 Hood St, Ettalong Beach for use in relation to nearby road upgrade works.

Central Coast Council will now review the application.

“Having received your objection, Council will now go through a review process and the Minister for Local Government may request that the proposed licence be referred to the Minister for review,’’ Council said in a letter to the resident, who did not want to be named.

“If that were to happen, a report would need to be prepared by the State Government’s Director of Planning. 

“In such circumstances, TfNSW might determine not to proceed further.”

“In any case, Council has advised TfNSW that it has received objections to the proposed use and will seek further advice and information from TfNSW before proceeding any further.”

The resident had asked for wider community consultation before any decisions were made.

“I’m very disappointed Central Coast Council has made the decision to go down the path of minimum consultation of only issuing a Public Notice to adjoining property owners on this matter,” the resident said.

“I was not informed at Flathead Rd, Ettalong Beach despite being in very close proximity and a user of the reserve. 

“Additionally, the Public Notice was sent to strata management which has eaten into the time for the community to be informed and respond.”

The resident quoted Council’s Community Participation Plan which said one of Council’s core responsibilities was to “ensure a balanced and collaborative decision-making process is achieved”.

“I request the community, including users of the reserve, have an opportunity to review and comment on the proposal to provide a balanced and collaborative approach,” the resident said.

“Has Central Coast Council or Transport for NSW undertaken a Review of Environmental Factors? 

“I’m extremely concerned the proposed compound will have a detrimental impact on native birds and small mammals that inhabit the trees within the proposed licence area. 

“In the evening, we have a resident powerful owl who visits the trees within the proposed area – noting powerful owls have a vulnerable conservation status in NSW.”

The resident said brush and ringtail possums lived in the trees as did lorikeets, kookaburras and cockatoos and said the operating hours of the proposed compound would have a detrimental impact on these local species – particularly the noise and light.

“This is recreational community land and used daily by many including bird watchers, people walking their dogs and people taking picnics as it is one of the few reserves in the area with tree coverage,” the resident said.

The proposal provided insufficient details particularly on the impact to residents and did not provide details around alternative compound sites, the resident said, adding that Hood St was not equipped to take on large machinery transfers and is currently in a poor state.

“I urge you to reconsider this proposal and at a minimum extend consultation so the wider community has an opportunity to have their say on this public space.”

NSW Transport for NSW (TfNSW) had advised Council that no other site in the vicinity was suitable for the proposed use, Council said.

TfNSW has also advised Council that it has complied with its obligations as a public authority under Part 5 of the Environmental Planning & Assessment Act, including preparation of a review of environmental effects and undertaking prior community and stakeholder consultation.