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Foreshore Usage Management Options
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31. Develop Specific Controls for the Pittwater Foreshore
Pittwater 21 DCP should be amended to include foreshore development controls which make specific provisions for:
- The dedication of land to Council when redeveloping foreshore properties, to re-establish foreshore public access via an easement or other suitable means;
- Appropriate design and siting of foreshore structures such as jetties, sea walls, boatsheds, tidal pools, etc;
- Restriction on the number of private foreshore structures and occupancies (eg jetties), with neighbours or groups of neighbours required to share facilities;
- Prohibit the establishment of seawalls along natural foreshore areas;
- Appropriate natural foreshore protection, conservation and re-vegetation requirements.
Responsibility: Council planning department.
32. Provide education of foreshore users through signage and other campaigns regarding appropriate foreshore activities
This option involves education of users as to appropriate and considerate use of foreshore areas. Signage would be placed at key access points, and follow-up education would be carried out through specific or general mail-outs (eg with general Council rates notices). Education would include:
- Litter collection
- Picking up dog faeces (with bins provided);
- Conservation of foreshore habitats and the ecology of the inter-tidal zone;
- Areas unsuitable for swimming (eg at the heads of embayments that receive considerable stormwater input);
- Consideration of wading or roosting migratory birds (and the potential disturbance by humans, dogs and noisy activities).
- Responsible bait collection and compliance with Fisheries Bag Limits.
Responsibility: Council education officers
33. Improve public access and existing public facilities along the foreshore, and install additional facilities as required
To improve foreshore public access and increase opportunities for use of foreshore reserves, facilities may require upgrade, including provision of defined visitor car parks (to avoid over-parking and congestion in residential streets), seats, lighting, picnic tables, barbecue facilities, landscaping and walking tracks (either formal or informal, and enabling disabled access). Focus should also be given to removing private encroachments that obstruct access or inhibit enjoyment of public foreshore open space.
Public accessways should be confined to areas of low conservation significance wherever possible. Where there is a strong demand for public access to foreshore areas of high conservation significance, such access should be formalised and closely controlled to minimise environmental damage. Foreshore restoration or rehabilitation works should be undertaken as part of access improvement works.
Responsibility: Council would be responsible for managing public access and constructing additional facilities and services around the foreshores of Pittwater.