The Ettalong channel is set to be dredged in coming weeks, with the arrival of the dredge vessel planned for May 24, subject to weather, and dredging expected to take around four weeks to complete.
As a result of sand build-up in the channel following recent swell events, Palm Beach to Ettalong and Wagstaffe ferry services have been diverted to Patonga.
Transport for NSW has established a free alternative transport service, which began on May 9.
There is a free shuttle ferry service between Wagstaffe and Ettalong to meet the free shuttle bus at Ettalong.
A free shuttle bus service runs from Ettalong to Patonga, to meet the Palm Beach to Patonga ferries.
The shuttle bus will leave approximately 30 minutes prior to the Palm Beach ferry departure from Patonga Wharf and a full timetable will be available soon.
The alternative transport services will be in place for approximately six weeks, until the dredging work is finished in late June.
The community will be advised when normal services resume.
Member for Gosford Liesl Tesch said the State Government was continuing its proactive approach to dredging the channel.
“To minimise disruption, we have again arranged free shuttle bus and ferry services to ensure passengers can continue their journeys with minimal delay,” she said.
“These temporary changes are a small step toward a long-term dredging plan (as the) NSW Government invests in the infrastructure our region depends on.
“We thank passengers for their patience and encourage them to allow extra travel time for their journeys.”
Minister for Roads and Regional Transport Jenny Aitchison said the government was committed to maintaining safe and reliable transport links for the Central Coast community.
“This dredging work is essential to restore safe navigation through the Ettalong channel,” she said.
“While we understand the inconvenience to our passengers, safety is our top priority.”
How on earth can Liesl Tesch say the government is “continuing its proactive approach to dredging the channel” when this is clearly a reactive response? Year after year of being our local member she fails to advocate effectively for critical local infrastructure, and now that she and her party are in government the buck very firmly, yet again, rests with her. Fundamentally the issue is that she is oblivious to local sentiment, the recently announced Umina public school daycare expansion being a prime example where she was quite happy to pose with Pru Carr for a photo when it was announced and only later grasped that the community had grave reservations. Time for an overdue change of representation I would say.
sorry Liesl, if the State Government were _really_ “pro-active” in regard to the dredging, then there would be no need for the short-shunt of the ferry to Patonga, and the shuttle bus from Ettalong to Patonga (and return). The dredging would have started _before_ the channel was impassible.