Peninsula Community Access Edition 171
News
Phone 4325 7369 Fax 4325 7362
August 6, 2007
Borefield is almost ready The earliest the Woy Woy borefield is likely to be brought online is early to mid-August, according to Gosford Council’s manager of asset management Ms Pam McCann. Ms McCann said the plant had been undergoing a series of tests to ensure water produced was suitable for community use and also that the operational and contractual obligations of the contractors were met. “Gosford Council will decide when to distribute the treated water only after the test results are satisfactory,” Ms McCann said. “The earliest distribution can occur is early to mid August 2007. Ms McCann noted that streamflows would currently be used in preference to the treatment plant. “At present, there are good streamflows from water catchments areas at Lower Mangrove Weir,
Mooney and Mardi Dams,” Ms McCann said. “This water is being captured via pumping to both Somersby and Mardi Treatment Plants and will be used in preference to the new Woy Woy Water Treatment Plant to effectively store the rainwater in the aquifer on the Peninsula for times when the streamflows are reduced in the water catchment areas.” Ms McCann also noted that, at present, council had no intention of specifically harvesting stormwater to supplement the borefield at Woy Woy. “The aquifer is recharged by annual rainfall and infiltration, which does include a component of storm water,” Ms McCann said. “It is beneficial to utilise the natural processes of the sand aquifer in the area to filter and reduce pollutants and/or organic loads, and use the aquifer as a default storage system.” Lyle Stone, 30 Jul 2007
Board rejects Peninsula The naming of the Woy Woy Peninsula will not go ahead due to a lack of support from Gosford Council, according to the Geographical Names Board of NSW. Geographical Names Board media officer Mr John McClymont said that council had told them that it “does not support” the formal geographical name of Woy Woy Peninsula. “The board decided at it’s meeting … that it would not proceed with this proposal,” Mr McClymont said. “The board noted that there are 16 geographical names that
include the name Woy Woy.” Department of Lands media officer Mr Kevin Richards also stated that council claimed “there is no need to recognize this name as a geographical name”. Previously, council officers had opposed an attempt to name the area as the word “Peninsula” covers “a piece of land almost surrounded by water, especially one connected with the mainland by only a narrow neck of land or isthmus”. They said that under this definition the land known as the “The Peninsula” was “not appropriate”. Lyle Stone, 30 Jul 2007
A council map of the proposed subject land for the shared pathway
Officers support foreshore cycle path Gosford Council officers have recommended approval of a proposed shared pedestrian and cycle pathway along the Woy Woy foreshore reserve, from Brickwharf Rd to the Peninsula Leisure Centre. The application has drawn 33 submissions from the community, of which 25 raised objections and eight were in support of the proposal. A further three submissions were made following the notification of amended plans. Submissions included suggestions for an alternative route along the roadway, claims of the project being an “unnecessary waste of money”, and concerns over maintenance, visual impact, appearance, size, design, safety, noise and environmental impact. One submission stated that cycleways and shared pathways were needed and desired, but not on the reserve. Another stated that the proposed pathway was not practical for cyclists as a transport alternative. Council officers stated that the off road cycleway was favoured over a dedicated on-road cycleway
which would remove existing street parking. They also stated that on road cycleways were designed to provide transport alternative for experienced cyclists while offroad shared pathways were designed for the “young, elderly and inexperienced pedestrians and cyclists to travel in safety by avoiding busy major roadways”. In response to concerns over the proposed development being unnecessary and a “waste of money”, officers stated that the Review of Environmental Factors provided justification for the proposed development. The Review stated that an increase in vehicular traffic and a high cycling population combined with a large aged community who “enjoy walking and other recreational pursuits” meant that a shared pathway would provide an improvement in safety for both cyclists and pedestrians. Officers also stated that while there were still “many streets” on the Woy Woy Peninsula that needed improvements, it would be wise to take advantage of the government grants on offer for this project.
One submission suggested that the pathway should follow the waters edge for its full length, due to it being a more “scenic and attractive route” and also due to concerns about its closeness to house boundaries. Officers stated that for the most part, the pathway was as close as could be permitted to Brisbane Water, however environmental and safety issues limited the placement of the walkway at the waters edge in some areas. Officers stated that the proposed location therefore represented a tradeoff between minimising environmental impacts and maintaining residential amenity. Several submissions related to the safety of the pathway being shared usage between cyclists and pedestrians, as well as other users of the reserve. Council officers stated that walkers and joggers would continue to have the option to use the grassed areas if they choose. “The proposal does not significantly restrict or interfere with other users of the reserve,” officers stated.
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THIS ISSUE contains 53 articles. Read more at www.PeninsulaNews.asn.au
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