TEA Gardens residents have had enough – they are sick of listening to political promises to fix the Myall River.
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They are weary from reading conflicting consultants’ reports about the estuary’s problems.
And they are ready to berate the bureaucrats who have made an art of infighting and stalling efforts to fix what was a picturesque coastal waterway.
The once free-flowing river has deteriorated into a murky stream over the past decade. In addition to becoming an increasingly dangerous navigational channel, the river’s inability to flush has caused salinity to plummet.
Hundreds of formerly thriving oyster leases have been abandoned in recent years and the abundant sea grass beds have been inundated with sand.
While work moves ahead on the $2.5million project to dredge Lake Macquarie’s entry, Swansea Channel –which is in a swinging seat – Tea Gardens and Hawks Nest residents are left to fume.
‘‘Almost everyone who lives here is in some way connected to the river,’’ Myall River Action Group spokesman Gordon Grainger said.
‘‘We have been waiting for the main channel to be dredged since 2008. What’s happened is the result of ongoing bureaucratic bungling; and the result is absolutely tragic.’’
Thousands of tourists visiting the idyllic twin towns over the peak holiday period are witnessing the sorry state of the river and estuary.
The state government committed $1million to dredge the main channel in 2013 as part of a joint project with Great Lakes Council.
Despite that, much of this year has been lost to haggling between government departments and the council over how the project will affect the surrounding environment.
Dredging is now due to start in May, but the council insists that the work be done as part of a broader project to rehabilitate nearby Jimmys Beach.
Meanwhile, a Great Lakes Council application for federal funding to rehabilitate Corrie Island at the river mouth is in dispute over funding criteria.
‘‘This community deserves better,’’ Tea Gardens resident Gordon Bartlett said.
‘‘We have had enough; we are sick of the empty promises.
‘‘The river is a basket case. If those who allowed it to get into this state think we are going to forget, they have another thing coming. We desperately need a single authority to sort this thing out.’’
Great Lakes Council general manager Glen Handford was awaiting advice from the office of federal Environment Minister Greg Hunt about funding to undertake erosion work on Corrie Island.
‘‘We have contacted the minister’s office and are awaiting advice as to what additional information or activities are required given the departmental advice is that the proposal has merit and has recommended the project be funded,’’ he said.
‘‘Our proposal is based on the best available independent advice and extensive consultation with relevant agencies. The project represents value for money in addressing the erosion on Corrie Island.’’ Paterson MP Bob Baldwin had been involved in funding negotiations between the council and the government before his appointment as parliamentary secretary for the environment on December 23.
He told the Newcastle Herald his new position prevented him from remaining involved in the project.
He referred inquiries to Mr Hunt, whose office did not return Herald calls.
