Recently the Northeren Beaches Council released their revised plan for the Freshwater Beach Masterplan for comment that expired on August 14.
This was our submission.
The ‘Friends of Freshwater’ encouraged everyone to submit their own individual comments to ensure there were a range of views for the Council to review before the expiry date that has now expired!
The following is our submission after discussion amongst our Executive as a group. We felt that it encompassed a view that a minimum of change but added new facilities while addressing pedestrian and traffic issues.
1. Accessible ramp design
The green space area designated as “Area 5” on the Master plan appears to have an over-abundance of concrete including a switch back that takes away from the limited green space available. We suggest that the current path is redesigned to provide the appropriate grade requirements and the switch back is removed. The incorporation of stairs into the current path is not supported. Alternatively, the path from Moore Rd to the Surf Club could be used.
2. Lookout design
While a viewing platform in the parkland at the end of Ocean View Rd in Area 3 is welcomed it would be more appropriate to access it from the pedestrian pavement in the turnaround. Building an additional pathway parallel to the pedestrian walkway is inappropriate.
Other comments
After careful and additional consideration, the Friends of Freshwater feel compelled to add additional comment highlighting concerns to the Freshwater Beach Master Plan. We are concerned with the number of additional paths dividing the public open space and dividing the area into smaller, less useful pockets of green space.
The concerns and reasons are as follows:
• The green space area designated as “Area 5” on the Master plan appears to have an over-abundance of concrete including a switch back that takes away from the limited green space available. We suggest that the current path is redesigned to provide the appropriate grade requirements and the switch back is removed. The incorporation of stairs into the current path is not supported. Alternatively, the path from Moore Rd to the Surf Club could be used.
• The playground at the end of Moore Rd is well used generally by young families with very young children. The proposed installation of “Art Play” appears too close to the showers and will be unlikely to cater for young children who really love swings and small slides and climbing structures. We believe the community is best served by retaining this playground in its current form and further from the shower.
• The current path to the beach from the end of Moore Rd could be widened a little and the small green patches appear to add little value. The new path proposed from Moore to the Surf Club would further cut into the current well-used green space. However, this path could remove the need for the zig zag.
• The area around Pilu has too many new concrete pathways cutting current green spaces into smaller areas. The path cutting across the slope below Pilu Baretto is unnecessary and removes and area where people congregate. A more appropriate path would go from the end of Moore Rd parking to meet the current path. The new path from Undercliff beside Pilu is unlikely to be heavily utilised as people coming along Undercliff will likely continue to come down the steps and take a diagonal path. Those coming down from Queenscliff will likely continue to take the path nearer the beach.
• While a viewing platform in the parkland at the end of Ocean View Rd in Area 3 is welcomed it would be more appropriate to access it from the pedestrian pavement in the turnaround. Building an additional pathway parallel to the pedestrian walkway is inappropriate.
• What is needed is an extension of the walkway entrance from Ocean View to the beach. The walkway leading up the rock wall to the ocean pool is not addressed and while we are aware that the discussion around building a walkway has been considered and rejected based on cost, there should be some more research into other potential options that would better suit the situation.
• It has been mentioned by numerous residents that an off-leash area for dogs should be considered either in the reserve or the overflow car park. We believe that it is a manageable option that may be restricted by appropriate times as well as considering if both or one area is appropriate. Based on the high level of dog ownership and the ridiculous fines that can be incurred, it seems a matter of accommodating the number of dog owners in the area and the overall view that there is a need as well as a desire to offer this option. While we are aware there are off-leash areas in Manly and Curl Curl, there are no immediate areas in Freshwater that allow this.
In conclusion, although we are delighted that the Masterplan from 2018 is getting further attention, we note that timeframes are totally missing from the documentation. We believe that it is imperative that the public amenities are included in the first phase of implementation. We look forward to the implementation plan being released to the community.
