Council should have started rock pool safety work
I am writing to you to express my concern of the unsafe access to Pearl Beach rock pool.
As a life member of the Umina Blue Swimmers Winter Swimming Club, we have been frequently utilising the facility at Pearl Beach since our establishment in 1968.
Over the years, the access to the pool has become unsafe due to the nature of the surface being compromised by its surroundings, which makes its inaccessible to not only our members but the broader community who wish to use the pool.
I am urging the community to get behind this project as I am a firm believer that the pool should be enjoyed by all without the risk of injuring themselves in the process.
We have had several members be injured by falling over on the slippery rock surface, and many members not being able to continue to swim with us as they cannot safely get to the pool.
We have approached the council who advised that a study had been done to upgrade the safe access to the pool and funds were allocated to carry out the project 16 months ago.
However no action has been taken to date.
A local company has confirmed that the study was in fact carried out and was assured that the money would be put aside to commence the work.
However the council is yet to act.
In the interest of safety for the broader community, I want to shed light on the matter to make people aware of this issue.
I am a firm believer that, as the study was completed, this work should have already been commenced by the council to protect the community from harm when trying to access a heritage listed site.
I have also approached the Pearl Beach Progress Association who are in full support of this venture, as their aging population simply can't get across the current state of the surface to access the facility.
Please get behind us and support our local community to rectify this issue.
SOURCE:
Email, 14 Jul 2022
Robert E Lee, Ettalong