Lido pool left high and dry | Coffs Coast News | Local News in Coffs Coast

Lido pool left high and dry

Ute Schulenberg | 24th November 2009

AFTER years of asking for the restoration of their beloved Sea Lido tidal pool, the lack of progress has driven residents to sign yet another petition.

Ernie Hodges, Frank Riley and Daryl Rose are among the many Urunga residents who would like to see the Lido tidal pool restored.

FRUSTRATION is mounting in the seaside village of Urunga. After years of asking for the restoration of their beloved Sea Lido tidal pool, the lack of progress has driven residents to sign yet another petition.

This time more than 400 people are requesting the area, next to the Urunga boardwalk, be dredged before this year’s summer swimming season. Regular users Frank Riley and Daryl Rose say while it is still possible to swim, with every flood the silt build-up increases and the remaining swimming space is rapidly disappearing.

According to Mr Rose, the community has approached the council, the Department of Lands and the managers of the foreshore reserve, Bellinger Heads Holiday Parks Trust.

“Everyone seems to pass the buck onto someone else and we are not sure who is responsible – the whole area has an air of neglect and no-one seems to care,” Mr Rose said.

In fact the land is Crown land and is the responsibility of the NSW Department of Lands. They are represented by the Trust . . . up to the waterline.

From there under NSW environmental regulations NSW Fisheries and the NSW Department of Environment and Climate Change take over.

Bellingen Council’s general manager, Mike Colreavy, said last year the Department of Lands agreed to $400,000 of accumulated funds from both North Beach Caravan Park and Hungry Head Cabins being used to extend the Urunga boardwalk and restore the Lido.

“There was $200,000 for each project. We received a further $200,000 from DECC for the boardwalk with construction due to being in March,” Mr Colreavy said.

“However our application to DECC to re-establish the tidal pool was unsuccessful. We have submitted another application under this year’s program.” He said any work in waterways required multiple permissions and consents, none of which could be attained quickly.

 
Coffs Coast Advocate  

Recent Comments

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Posted by Caretaker from Bellingen, New South Wales

24 November 2009 8:32 a.m. | Suggest removal » | Post reply »

I really don't see what the problem here is. Going by Article: Development plan starts next month
24Th November 2009 (Today's Advocate) it's now only up to the council? Just light a fire under there bums. Don't forget you voted them in.

Posted by cgrant from Wangi Wangi, New South Wales

28 December 2009 6:37 p.m. | Suggest removal » | Post reply »

As a former resident of the area, a property owner and frequent visitor I was heart broken the first time I returned to the area and found the sea lido missing.
On future return visits I always ask locals "what happened ?. My last recollection was of very expensive repairs and then it was removed ?
Surely it is plain to all that a seaside village hosting many tourists requires the return of the Lido pronto.
Come on guys lets see Urunga at its best.
Chris Grant

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