Winney Bay Clifftop Walk: Council to lose $4.6m funding
Central Coast Council has defied a staff recommendation to accept $4.6 million in State Government funding for the Winney Bay Clifftop Walk, effectively killing the project.
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Central Coast councillors have ignored their staff along with a deadline from Infrastructure NSW, forfeiting $4.6 million for the Winney Bay Clifftop Walk.
Instead they will take three unfunded options to the community to decide the future of the Copacabana site.
At last night’s meeting, councillors brushed aside arguments regarding the multi-million funding deadline, instead pressing ahead with a plan to “consult the community”.
This was despite Director of Planning Scott Cox indicating the decision would make it “impossible” to meet the deadline for the funding.
Infrastructure NSW recently gave the council a final deadline of September 18 to claim the cash for the option including a concrete path, wheelchair access, bridge joining Captain Cook lookout to a new lookout and a cantilevered viewing platform.
A staff report detailed Infrastructure NSW’s compromises including deleting market stalls and reducing the width of the pathway.
This plan was put on community consultation last year, recording more than 50 per cent support from the community.
The funded project would have also ensured disability access to the bridge and lookout.
Terrigal state Liberal MP Adam Crouch said the decision indicated council was in a “state of chaos”.
“Despite receiving clear instructions from Infrastructure NSW to vote yes or no for the $4.6 million Winney Bay Cliff Top Walk, Labor-independent councillors voted to make more changes to the project,” he said.
“Council has until 18th September to advise Infrastructure NSW it will proceed with the project, or else the $4.6 million grant will be lost.
“Such an act would be a tragedy for the Central Coast region.”
Councillor Jeff Sundstrom passed a motion to take three options to the community.
Plan A is a pathway following the existing track, relocation of the lookout and rehabilitation of the vegetation.
Plan B includes Plan A with the bridge and viewing platform, while Plan C is to simply upgrade the informal track, fence off dangerous locations and upgrade Captain Cook Lookout.
Cr Sundstrom said there was consultation on the original 5 Lands Walk Masterplan back in 2012; a plan which involved upgrading the bush track.
He said the plans had “grown like topsy” over the past seven years and it was only when the community stumbled across land clearing that they found out something was going on.
“It was through community groundswell that we began the consultation,” he said.
“This opportunity gives you three options. It would round out this in a matter that is open, honest and shows we are listening to our community.”
Mayor Jane Smith said the Infrastructure NSW’s deadline was “extremely disappointing”.
“Further concern is that the proposal for the Winney Bay project does not comply with the 5 Lands Walk Masterplan, which identified what I have outlined as Plan C,” she said.
“Sometime between 2012 and now it’s been significantly modified. We do have a geotech survey that highlights issues with work and concerns about safety risks. We need to consider that very carefully.”
Darkinjung Local Aboriginal Land Council chief executive officer Geoff Scott said Darkinjung supported the plan which attracted funding, and said refusing the money “would be an indictment on the Central Coast.
Tracie Howie, who spoke on behalf of the Awabakal Guringai people, urged council to refuse the plans which attracted the funding, saying it would be an eyesore and cause irreversible damage.
“I fail to see how metal structure can even be considered in such a beautiful area,” she said. “It’s an absurd idea that should have been rejected long ago. In my opinion the structure is hideous and disrespectful to us.”
She said Darkinjung had no authority to speak on behalf of the Awabakal Guringai people.
Heather Graham, from Save Winney Bay Action Group said the situation with the funding can be compared to “a dog salivating over a juicy bone”.
“Current council should not be blamed for errors of judgment of the former council,” she said.
She said the community remained concerned about the environment and habitat for ecological communities.