Peerless Pleasures

Newcastle Herald

Monday May 12, 2008

By DAMON CRONSHAW

THE Toronto waterfront is paradise to Dennis Evans, but it would not be the same without his private jetty.

Mr Evans said the jetty, which he shared with a neighbour, was an important part of his lifestyle and he had used it for more than 40 years.

"You can walk out your front door and get straight into your boat," he said.

He believed people should have a right to build new private jetties, but said they should be shared.

"I wouldn't like mine taken away. I agree they should be shared between neighbours," he said.

Jetties had been accused of causing environmental degradation, but Mr Evans said there was more seagrass around his jetty than ever before.

He believes private jetties are a key part of the lake's character.

Jetty owner Emma Leary, of Toronto, said jetties were good for social and recreational purposes.

"Friends tie their boats up at our jetty when they visit and we fish off it," she said.

"There should be a limited number though. You wouldn't want a jetty every 10 metres.

"I could understand people being annoyed at not being allowed to have a jetty."