PARKING is at a premium during holiday time in Scotts Head.

The Day Reserve area does not have the capacity to cater to holiday visitors and overflow parking from the Reflections Holiday Park.

The congestion caused by this issue sees degeneration of the grassed areas within the Reserve by illegal parking.

With only one access route into and out of the Reserve, traffic jams up and people get annoyed, with cars stretched from the entrance to the Surf Club, and past the boat ramp.

News Of The Area met with Moira Ryan and George Driussi, members of the Scotts Head Community Group, to talk about the issues facing the Reserve at holiday time.

“There can be up to 36 cars parked here at 7:00 am, it’s fortunate that no one has been hit by a car,” said Moira Ryan.

The congestion starts at the Aiden Street entrance.

Once designated parking spaces are full, people begin to park in the no parking areas, and on the grass verges.

Bollards were put in to stop grassed area parking, but not all grassed areas were included.

“As a community we’d like to see more support from Rangers regarding traffic, illegal camping, dogs and parking,” said Moira Ryan.

Reflections Holiday Park are the managers of the Reserve area in regards to parking, maintenance, and weed control.

Members of the Scotts Head Community Group are all volunteers and the weed problems in the dune area and the Reserve are now largely beyond their capacity to manage on their own.

“I’ve written to Crown Lands to suggest the management of the Reserve and surrounds be broken into three parts,” said George Driussi.

“(That) being that Reflections manages the park only, and the Reserve, Headland, and Aiden Street Crown Land are put under a separate private contractor.

“As yet I’ve had no reply,” said Mr Driussi.

News Of The Area contacted Nambucca Valley Council regarding the policing of illegal parking.

Tom Cornelius, Ranger, Nambucca Shire Council said, “Reflection has been approached on numerous occasions to have Council logo included in Park signage, to date no reply has been given.”

Reflection’s is the manager of this area and without signage changes, Council can take no action.

Residents note additional problems with storm water drainage at the Surf Club access that runs water across the boat ramp eroding the beach, and unsafe access steps covered with sand making access dangerous for young children.

Reflections were contacted for comment but at time of printing had not replied.

 

By Karen GRIBBIN