Residents of a Shoalhaven fishing village are putting pressure on their local council to save a commercial fishing wharf after new access restrictions were introduced last week.
The Greenwell Point Wharf Community Action Group is a community forum dedicated to the saving and rebuild of Greenwell Point’s ageing and deteriorating wharf.
Creator of the action group, Ben Hobbs says the community Facebook page allows all Greenwell Point residents to have some input in the group’s communication with the local council.
“We use it as a steering committee, so when we talk to Liza Butler and the council we can try to represent everybody.” He said.
Released on the 18th of August, the MI Engineers Main Wharf Inspection Report recommends that critical repairs be undertaken if the 46 year-old wharf is to remain in service, or that replacement of the existing structure be pursued.
In accordance with the engineers’ suggestions, Shoalhaven City Council installed barriers to prevent vehicle access, and announced that vessels are no longer permitted to moor at the wharf.
Greenwell Point residents have expressed their disappointment at the current arrangement, citing the council’s failure to maintain the wharf as the primary cause for the structure’s declining safety and functionality.
“Shoalhaven Council has a lease on the wharf, and as a part of that lease they’re meant to maintain it, but they’ve spent no money whatsoever,” Mr Hobbs said.
“I think Council has to have a bit of integrity about them and be more honest with the community,”
“That’s where the community comes in to keep applying the pressure so they stop closing these community assets.”
Under current loading conditions, engineers estimate the wharf will remain safe for pedestrian access for approximately 3 to 4 years.
