Contribution Plan For Jetties
Newcastle Herald
Wednesday January 24, 2007
RESIDENTS in new Lake Macquarie subdivisions should contribute to the city council's jetty construction program, Cr John Jenkins says.
On Monday night, city councillors supported Cr Jenkins's wish that council staff investigate ways to find extra money for the jetty program.Cr Jenkins suggested that more funds be gleaned through developer contributions, which would be passed on to people buying into new housing estates.Under the program, 13 jetties would be built in Lake Macquarie over 13 years. About $200,000 a year has been earmarked for the program, which is reliant on equal funding from the council and State Government.Cr Jenkins said if state funds do not materialise, the council does not provide its share.This could cause the 13-year program to take 35 years, he said.He said jetty construction costs could double within five years.Cr Jenkins said the Government's Lower Hunter Regional Strategy, which will increase Lake Macquarie's population, will place huge demands on the council's existing 29 public jetties."New residents coming here will want to use boats and will need jetties," he said. "We should look for people foisted on this community to contribute in some way."Mayor Greg Piper supported the move and agreed that maintaining the program would be a "struggle".Cr Piper said jetty construction was becoming more expensive because of demands for jetties to be environmentally friendly.A separate council program, to upgrade jetties, was planned to end next year.BUILDING PROGRAM1 Speers Point Park2 Blacksmiths3 Swansea, next to Swansea RSL Club4 Thomas Humphreys Park, Swansea 5 Sunshine Park, Sunshine 6 Valentine jetty7 Thomas H Halton Park, Croudace Bay 8 Balcolyn Hall reserve, Balcolyn9 Rathmines Park10 Lakeview Road, Morisset Park11 Blackalls Park reserve12 Warners Bay13 Dora Street, Dora Creek
© 2007 Newcastle Herald