Lake Macquarie Council will write to the NSW Office of Environment and Heritage to express “strong support” for a community bid for a 12-month protection order for Catherine Hill Bay jetty.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Most councillors on Monday night voted in favour of supporting Catherine Hill Bay Progress Association’s application for the jetty to receive an interim listing on the NSW heritage register.
Read more: Lifeline proposal for Catho’s historic jetty
It came after the Herald reported last week council had written to the progress association indicating it would support the application.
Cr Jason Pauling, one of four councillors who voted against the move, told the council meeting he recognised the importance of preserving heritage.
Read more: Dive park lifeline for Catho
But he said he had “trouble reconciling the difference” between fear of potential oil and gas rigs appearing on the horizon, while “yet another very large, similar structure – to my mind at least – we want to preserve”.
According to council, it would cost $6.7 million to bring the jetty back to usable condition and maintain it for the next decade.