Chris Dobney
Three Ballina Shire councillors have launched last-ditch bid to prevent the removal of the eastern road at Lake Ainsworth but fellow councillors argue the project is essential to the health of the lake.
Crs Ben Smith, Keith Johnson and Paul Worth will argue the case at tomorrow’s Ballina Shire Council meeting on the back of a Save Our Road campaign that other councillors say is misguided.
According to Lennox Head-based Cr Jeff Johnson, ‘Council have voted on this issue on about 10 occasions with a majority of 7-3 [but] there is yet another motion being put up by the three C Ward Councillors to stop the improvement works from going ahead.’
Cr J Johnson says the ensuing controversy had resulted in mayor David Wright ‘calling for the improvements to be put on hold and the money allocated to other council projects.’
‘This would be a real shame given the amount of work and council resources that have already been spent on consultants and on constructing the new car parking spaces,’ Cr J Johnson said in a letter to the editor.
He has also alerted residents to a council-released ‘myth-buster’ document, which he says takes apart the Save Our Roads group’s argument line-by-line.
The group’s claims included: that the public would be excluded; the eastern precinct would become a hub for anti-social behaviour; the health of the lake would decline; amenities would be removed; and emergency access would be restricted.
Claims lack validity
But the council document says these claims lack validity.
‘The primary objective of this project is to expand the areas of open space available for use by the community and provide improved recreational facilities such as BBQs, tables etc,’ the document says.
‘By closing the eastern road people using this location will be able to spend time enjoying the Lake and the surrounding amenity without the inconvenience and inherent risk associated with vehicles moving through this precinct,’ it continues.
‘There is no evidence to support that the works will increase anti-social behaviour and if this does occur mitigation measures such as improved lighting would be assessed.
‘The concept plans provide a three-metre pedestrian pathway and removable bollards so that emergency vehicles can access the site in cases of emergency such as fire,’ the document says.
It adds that amenities will be added – rather than removed – from the site under the concept plan and that additional work undertaken to ensure the improved health of the lake.
‘If you switch the situation around and the eastern foreshore was currently a park and recreation area, there would be an almost unanimous uproar if council or the state government tried to remove the park and build a road right up to the edge of the lake,’ Cr J Johnson said.
‘Indeed, current NSW Government policy recommends a 40-metre buffer around lakes from roads.
‘I am strongly in favour of the relocation of the car parking spaces and the transformation of the eastern foreshore into a public park and recreation area.
‘I also believe that once this area has been transformed into parkland, complete with picnic tables and BBQ’s, many of those who have signed the Save Our Road petition will see the benefits and support council’s current proposal.’
He said it was important that all councillors hear from supportive residents ahead of tomorrow’s meeting.
They can be contacted at [email protected]
Good comments here. The Council plan for the eastern road closure and the enhancement of the eastern foreshore area is to be commended. One very important aspect is that safety for pedestrians in this area will be greatly improved without vehicular traffic. Lennox Head is home to many young families and their kids as well as kids visiting grandparents living in Lennox, so surely we all want to have safety as a priority. The same safety consideration is importantly due for the many seniors and people who are frail or have a disability who regularly come to The Lake.
Please think beyond the knee-jerk and even spurious issues propounded by the “keep-the-road-open” lobbying. We have to think carefull about the future of Lake Ainsworth and environs, and having read the many documents, reports etc. I consider that Counciul has made the correct decision.
Thank you Councillors.