The Execution of the Adelaide

My interest is as a Terrigal resident.

I realise you are fighting the cause on narrow and legally sustainable grounds and perhaps of no concern to the Group is the impact on the local area by the necessary access to the dive area. Advertisements offering dive tickets and a ferry serviceI are/will be offered by the Haven dive shop, perhaps the real and certainly the most voiciferest vested interest. No information on how the “many thousands” of divers will get to the dive area. Divers do not arrive by public transport and once dressed and equipped they have a problem moving on land.They will arrive by car and will require parking for the car and for a trailer if they bring their own boat. Many will bring a boat as this allows them to change air bottles and stay over the dive site for longer. I don’t think Avoca has a boat ramp and at Terrigal we have what is effectively a single ramp at the South end. The Terrigal ramp usually has a queue in the summer months.

Gosford Council has not said what provision is to be made for parking and bearing in mind the need to change into diving gear close to the point of entry in the water the multi story car park at Terrigal will not be suitable. It is too far away. The Haven is already under parking pressure from local people. The Haven is a good and safe spot for children to learn to swim, learn water skills and for the Nippers to be taught first lessons. It is also a good spot for families and seniors (I am 81) to meet, picnic and splash about a bit without having to fight the surf. Try parking at the Haven during a holiday weekend.

The Council has not said how cars and trailers of the two disparate groups, divers and the other present users are to be accommodated, maybe that would be negative thinking. Given the way the council has “upgraded” the esplanade and given half the roadway to the restaurants to the extent that locals do not even try to drive through there. Frankly it is a shambles. Locals and visitors quickly learn that Ocean Drive is the best way to reach Terrigal. Can you imagine the traffic down the hill into Terrigal, many cars with trailers.

I know you are arguing your case on environmental issues and good on you but the Haven is part of my environment and I am damned if I will give it to divers, the dive shop and a few restaurants. The thinking is skewed. Frankly I can’t see a financial advantage case for “the Coast”. It will benefit a few, it will disadvantage many, in the Haven and on the roads. It has all the hallmarks of a monumental stuff up, quite irreversible when the consequences become obvious. No doubt our Council has carefully evaluated the proposition (insert laugh) as has the approval by Peter pink batts Garret. The present thinking is skewed and the right questions have not been asked.

Why is the subject of this email the execution of the Adelaide? That’s what it is. Navy ships are meant to stay afloat. We train to make sure it happens. On active service a ship is scuttled only to prevent it falling into enemy hands. Seems to me the divers are the enemy..new rules perhaps. Steel can and should be recycled. We are told that frequently. It is also environmentally friendly. I am sure a majority of environmentally concerned people would favour recycling. If and when she is scuttled I shall shed a few quiet tears on behalf of the men and women she gave safe passage to. The enthusiastic crowds will be there for the bang and death. In olden times public executions were also good for a day out. I will not celebrate her execution by having her innards blown out.