Letter to the Editor: Future risks of foreshore development

DEAR News Of The Area,

I WISH it were possible to ask the main proponents of the plan to create infrastructure on the Jetty Foreshores lands to sign a Memorandum of Understanding and Intent to reassure the present and future Coffs Harbour ratepayers and New South Wales taxpayers that they will not be required to contribute funds for possible future failure of erosion control structures and consequent property loss.

It is clear that either:

1. The main proponents are confident that the infrastructure they have planned will not be subject to coastal erosion processes (beyond what the existing control structure can endure) within the lifetime of the proposed infrastructure.

2. The main proponents are not so confident, but choose to ignore the considered opinion of experts, trusting future action by government bodies to cope with eventualities.

3. The main proponents do not really care, being focused on the business of obtaining the agreement and conveying the land to the developers.

It is generational theft to take an ill-advised action in the present which will cause a financial burden for our children and grandchildren who may be expected, as ratepayers and taxpayers, to pay for construction and maintenance of very costly coastal defences, and to possibly have to pay for compensation of property loss or damage.

I advise any reader who wants to see the incredible power of local storm waves at Coffs Harbour Jetty to search Coffs Harbour Storm Aug 20 2016/Life on SV Nichola Bron Hogan.

Property Development New South Wales, one of the major proponent groups, should think carefully about their responsibilities to all of us.

Sincerely,
Alan MELBOURNE.
Coffs Harbour.