Hawks Nest Tea Gardens Progress Association takes Marine Drive concerns to Sydney

DEAR News Of The Area,

HAWKS Nest Tea Gardens Progress Association President Sandra Bourke and Secretary Bruce Murray recently travelled to Sydney to meet with representatives from the NSW Minister for Lands and Property’s office and senior representatives from Crown Lands to discuss the future of two long-standing foreshore sites on Marine Drive, Tea Gardens.

The meeting was constructive and productive, providing an opportunity for the Association to present a frank and fearless overview of their opinion on the current state of the marine foreshore, and the growing concerns held by many local residents.

Particular attention was given to the former Oyster Hut site opposite Marine Drive, which was recently demolished and currently remains in an unacceptable unsafe state.

Community representatives emphasised concerns about public safety, especially given the site’s accessibility and its attraction to tourists and young people.

The Association was advised that Crown Lands would review the site with a view to ensuring it was made safe and appropriately remediated.

Representatives said that members of the community had made it clear that the area should not be left in its current condition and should ultimately be restored in a manner consistent with the character of the waterfront precinct.

Discussions also focused on the former brown boatshed and associated jetty structures opposite the public boat ramp.

While many residents had hoped that options for retaining or repurposing the structure could be explored, Crown Lands advised that engineering assessments had found the structures to be unsafe and unsuitable for continued use.

As a result, demolition is expected to proceed this year.

However, community representatives were pleased to receive confirmation that the public boat ramp itself would remain operational and available for local residents and visitors.

The Association also acknowledged the important contribution of the Myall Lakes Aquatic Club and the Myall River Action Group.

Both organisations have been longstanding and substantive advocates for the protection, maintenance and improvement of local waterways and associated infrastructure.

Their ongoing work over many years, including advocacy relating to the public slipway and broader river access issues, has played an important role in ensuring these matters remain on the public agenda.

Both sites remain subject to Aboriginal land claims, a legal process that the Association respects and acknowledges.

Community representatives reiterated that regardless of the eventual outcome of those claims, the sites should be maintained in a safe, attractive and well-presented condition that reflected the unique coastal character of Hawks Nest and Tea Gardens.

The Association also welcomed advice that engineering information relating to the boatshed site would be made available, allowing residents to better understand the reasons behind the demolition decision.

Sandra Bourke said the meeting represented a positive step forward after many years of uncertainty and frustration.

“For more than a decade these sites have remained unresolved, and local people have become increasingly concerned about safety, presentation and the future of this important waterfront area,” she said.

“While not every outcome is exactly what the community hoped for, we appreciate the willingness of Crown Lands and the Minister’s office to meet with us, listen to local concerns and commit to ensuring these sites are properly managed into the future.”

The Progress Association looks forward to continuing discussions with Crown Lands and other stakeholders as works progress and future plans for the foreshore emerge.

Regards,

Hawks Nest Tea Gardens Progress Association