Hardys Bay Residents Group

    PO Box 4123           

Wagstaffe NSW 2257

General Manager

Gosford City Council

49 Mann Street

Gosford NSW 2250

Dear Sir,

Re: Draft Hardys Bay Foreshore Masterplan

The Hardys Bay Residents Group appreciates the opportunity to comment on the draft masterplan for the Hardys Bay Foreshore.

Over the last 2 years we have made a number of submissions to council concerning the development of the foreshore area of Hardys Bay.   We have always supported the need to improve traffic and pedestrian safety around the bay together with taking a "minimalist" approach to foreshore development.  

A “minimalist” approach would preserve as much of the open space along the foreshore as possible, would not have any bike track inside the grassed areas, would minimise signage and excessive traffic control devices and could include some low shrubs and small shade trees, but no larger trees that would block views of residents.

We are pleased to see that the draft masterplan addresses all of the safety and traffic concerns we have raised previously.   However, some of the proposed developments along the foreshore area go well beyond our preferred minimalist approach and are regarded by many as “over the top” for this area.

The last meeting of the Hardys Bay Residents Group focussed on the foreshore issues and at this well attended meeting it became clear that there was a large degree of consensus supporting the minimalist approach to development together with improved traffic and pedestrian safety.   While our members have all been encouraged to provide individual submissions to council, the meeting agreed that the following collective view should be represented to council on behalf of the residents of Hardys Bay:

The Hardys Bay Residents Group supports:

• Improvements necessary to improve traffic and pedestrian safety.
• Retention of the area's unspoilt charms by maintaining as much green open space along the waterfront as possible.
• Widening of Araluen Drive marginally to improve traffic flow and safety.
• Well defined parallel parking.
• Speed restrictions particularly through the Killcare Rd – Araluen Drive intersection
• Safe and efficient turning areas to the east and west of the shops that do not adversely affect local residents.   At the Araluen Drive – Heath Road intersection, a roundabout of just sufficient size to safely handle all anticipated future traffic should be provided.  Land could be reclaimed as necessary to achieve this with safe pedestrian access past the roundabout and minimal adverse impact on local residents.
• Removal of vegetation to improve visibility at intersections, particularly at the Heath Road – Araluen Drive intersection and the Noble Road – Hardys Bay Parade intersection
• Safe pedestrian and bicycle access around the congested intersections where Araluen Drive meets Killcare Road and where it meets Heath Road
• Restricted parking near the shops to improve safety.
• Movement of the bus stop to a safer location
• Appropriate but minimal signage and road markings to adequately control traffic around the shops and minimise unnecessary traffic into the Araluen Drive cul-de-sac and Hardys Bay Parade
• A small mountable roundabout near the shops at the Killcare Rd – Araluen Drive intersection if this is considered the safest alternative
• Construction of a seawall east of Killcare Road for safety and to stop erosion.   Such a seawall should extend only as far as Blythe St and should not adversely impact on the park areas to the north-east of Blyth St.
• Top dressing and grading of the park plus some small shade trees less than 5 metres high.     Not Casuarinas which grow too high

·        

The Hardys Bay Residents Group does NOT support:

• A new playground.   A playground for children is inappropriate right next to a potentially unsafe traffic turning area and distant from public toilets.   A third playground in the area is considered a waste of public funds which could be much better used to improve facilities at Turo Park, Pretty Beach   and the playground east of the shops near Stanley Street.
• Gym equipment.   The proposed equipment is unnecessary, inappropriate for this area, potentially dangerous, subject to vandalism and would be a waste of money.
• Angle parking.   The proposed angle parking is potentially dangerous, uses far too much green space and does not increase the number of parking spaces significantly.
• A wide concrete path.   Locals and tourists alike enjoy meandering along the open grassy foreshore of Hardys Bay and most consider a path unnecessary.   If we must have a path, it should be half normal width (no wider than the 1.2 metre path recently provided around the Yum Yum tree area), should not be made of concrete and should run along the sea wall.

These views were overwhelmingly supported at the last meeting of the Hardys Bay Residents Group and also reflect the mood of both public meetings.

We would welcome the opportunity to further discuss the views outlined above before the council finalises the plans for the bay.   The offer by council officers to have another public meeting at a later date to summarise the feedback received from the questionnaire would be appreciated.

Yours faithfully,

Bill Egan

Vice President

Hardys Bay Residents Group

0416 277 851

bill@hardysbay.com