Conjola Park boat ramp ignites debate over tree clearing, traffic safety
Work has started on a new boat ramp in a fire ravaged south coast community, but not everyone is happy Shoalhaven Council has cleared trees to make way for the infrastructure.
The South Coast News
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Work on a new boat ramp in Conjola Park is underway, but not everyone in the community is welcoming the clearing of bush to make way for infrastructure they say isn’t a priority.
Just over eighteen months on from the devastating fire that ripped through the small coastal community, Shoalhaven City Council is clearing land to build a new boat ramp and associated car park.
More than 50 homes were lost in the fires, and while there are currently limited alternatives for larger boats to launch into the popular water sports and fishing spot, some residents don’t think it warrants the clearing of more than 4 hectares of bushland.
However, part-time resident Wayne Kirkhope welcomes the injection of funds in the area, and hopes it attracts people back to the once thriving hamlet.
“I own a small tinny and you could say large boats are my enemy, but at the end of the day they‘ve been using the small hand made boat ramp on Sandra Street which isn’t suitable,” he said.
“All the big boats that have been going down there, can’t use it anymore because it’s so degraded. Because of the condition, you don’t see many people down there.”
In an email seen by the south coast News, one resident wrote to the council, calling for work to be stopped on Monday.
They raised issue with a “lack of community consultation” after the fires, saying the project should have been re-evaluated after the significant loss of native flora and fauna in the natural disaster.
Shoalhaven Council Director City Services, Paul Keech said council had been in contact with the concerned resident.
“Every effort will be made to meet and work through concerns with this person,” he said.
“We understand large projects of this scale always have aspects of them that don’t always please everyone.”
Meanwhile, Mr Kirkhope said traffic issues will need to be addressed to ensure the town doesn’t face more tragedy.
Large boats turning from Lake Conjola Entrance Road onto Havilland Street is an accident waiting to happen, he said.
“There will definitely be an accident there if something isn‘t done with that,” Mr Kirkland said.
“They‘re definitely going to have to put in a dedicated turning lane or widen the road. Large boats have big turning circles, and they’ll be taking a tight corner entering Conjola Park.”
A report to council described the traffic increase due to the new infrastructure as minor, with signage to be installed on the main road, on Havilland Street.
Mr Keech said the council was “very proud” to have partnered with the community on the project, with stage one due to be complete in early 2022.
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