Peninsula Community Access Edition 366
News Phone 4325 7369 Fax 4321 0940
27 April 2015
Storm mop-up starts Mopping up has started after last week’s storm, which saw the Peninsula without power, several yachts washed ashore and sewage discharging into Woy Woy Creek and into Brisbane Water at Woy Woy. Rainfall at Woy Woy of 234mm in three days is expected to bring the monthly rainfall total to the highest April figure in 27 years. Power was cut to the Peninsula for almost 24 hours and more than 6000 homes were still waiting for it to be restored by the end of the week. High seas and the associated storm surge saw the cancellation of ferry services at Ettalong and Patonga. Several boats came loose from their moorings and were washed onto the Ettalong foreshore or into foreshore properties at Booker Bay. Before power was restored at the Woy Woy Sewage Treatment Plant, partially treated effluent discharged into Woy Woy Creek and Brisbane Water at Woy Woy on Tuesday, April 21. Gosford Council asked residents and visitors to avoid swimming and other activities in or on the water until further notice. It also asked residents to conserve water as water pumps had also lost power during the storm. Brisbane Water Local Area Command duty officer Inspector George Bradbury said NSW
A yacht adrift washed into a foreshore property at Booker Bay
Police had received “lots of calls” from the Peninsula. “We’ve had many calls about trees down, wires down and water across the road,” he said. “There’s been flooding in Brickwharf Rd, Woy Woy, near the shopping area, and Ocean Beach and Umina Beach have been significantly impacted with sand on the roadway, footpaths,
A tree down in Rogers Park, Woy Woy
trees pushed over and significant amount of erosion.” He said despite the carnage, the Peninsula wasn’t as badly hit as some other suburbs. “I don’t think the Peninsula was that bad compared to other parts of this area,” he said. “Now we’re just in a recovery phase, getting power back on, Council cleaning up roadways,
Yacht washed up on Ettalong Beach
trees and beach and coastal areas. “That will go on for some time obviously.” Gosford Council has announced it has restored many of its services, and that residents may use Woy Woy tip free of charge during the clean-up. It is hoped that power to those homes still without power will
have been restored over the weekend or early this week. State and Federal Governments have announced that disaster relief assistance is available to local people. The Insurance Council of Australia said that estimates of the cost of damage on the Peninsula would take some time to be established as claims continue to be lodged. Assessors were already visiting households and businesses in the region with priority being given to policyholders who have suffered the worst damage. The Insurance Council warned residents to contact their insurer before undertaking any repair work, as otherwise it may not be covered. In the wake of the storm, the Community Environment Network has warned that more of these types of storms could be expected in the future, thanks to climate change. Chairperson Mr John Asquith said: “It is really important that all levels of government, but particularly local government, are taking steps to protect the population and ensure that critical infrastructure, such as roads and railways and water supplies and power lines, is protected.” Kaitlin Watts, 24 Apr 2015 Interviewees: George Bradbury and John Asquith Media release, 24 Apr 2015 Ausgrid Media statement, 24 Apr 2015 Insurance Council of Australia
A stranded boat
THIS ISSUE contains 47 articles - Read more news items for this issue at www.peninsulanews.info Office: 120c Erina Street, Gosford Phone: 4325 7369 Fax: 4321 0940 Mail: PO Box 1056, Gosford 2250 E-mail: editorial@centralcoastnews.net Website: www.centralcoastnews.net