Winney Bay funding: Bruce McLachlan warns “use it or lose it”.

A Central Coast Councillor says council has one last chance to take advantage of the $4.6 million in State Government funding for the Winney Bay Cliff Top Walk.

Artists impression of the bridge in Stage 2 designs of the Winney Bay Cliff Top Walk.

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A CENTRAL Coast Councillor says council has one last chance to take advantage of the $4.6 million in State Government funding for the Winney Bay Cliff Top Walk.

The controversial issue is returning to council on Monday night, with the recommendation to formally decline the project funding for Stage 2 of the track upgrade.

Councillor Bruce McLachlan said it’s now a case of “use it or lose it”.

“The 4.9m funding may still be on the table, if only the councillors would drop the Liberal/Labor politics,” he said.

“The elections are over, isn’t it time our local politicians just got on with building some new resident amenity.

Stairs leading to the trail at Winney Bay in Copacabana. Picture: Troy Snook

“Instead councillors will be asked to reject the tourism grant for Winney Bay, and certain councillors are just as likely to trash the Terrigal Boardwalk funding.

“It is just that much harder to get anything moved on the coast, compared to other regions that are leaving us behind. It’s not fair ratepayers now have to pick up the cheque’s after tearing up a state grant.”

Council stopped work at the track last year and put stage two, which included a wide

concrete path, large areas for market stalls, wheelchair access and a cantilevered viewing platform, on public exhibition.

The design was then significantly altered by the council, placing the funding in jeopardy.

In March, council received a letter from Infrastructure NSW requesting they formally decline the funding, advising that the “requested changes to the existing project cannot be approved”.