FINGAL Bay residents are speaking up with issues that are concerning the community.

At the recent Port Stephens Council meeting on 24 May 2022, Councillor Leah Anderson raised a notice of motion addressing numerous issues of safety, aesthetics and community knowledge that Fingal Bay residents face.

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Action requested to be taken includes the repair of the fence on the foreshore, or replacement with suitable vegetation, maintenance of vegetation on the stairs leading to the beach and removal of overgrown vegetation (including Bitou Bush and Lantana).

The levelling of the footpath between Boulder Bay Road and Tuna Crescent to make it easier for walkers, especially the elderly, disabled, and mothers with prams was also requested.

The state of public chairs and tables was discussed, noting that these need painting and repairs and covers in hot weather and rainy days.

Other notable actions that residents requested included “repairs to existing outdoor showers, a shade sail over children’s play area at surf club, a pedestrian crossing at the holiday park and noting the creek pollution”.

Cr Anderson requested an update from the Council on the Marine Drive landslip, including an approximate of when it will be fixed.

At a recent ‘Forgotten Fingal’ community meeting, 100 locals turned up and the Fingal Bay Community Group informed residents that Council does not have a Place Plan for Fingal Bay and there are no schedule of works in the Council’s ten year plan of works for the area, despite the fact that Fingal Bay ranked twelve on Australia’s top twenty beaches in 2020.

“I’m calling on the General Manager to provide a report to Council on the cost of the list of improvements requested by Fingal residents and what Council can do to allocate funds to fix these issues, so that Fingal is no longer forgotten,” Cr Anderson concluded.

By Tara CAMPBELL