GREATER Taree mayor Paul Hogan was advised by the NSW Minister for the Environment Rob Stokes yesterday that they could expect a response from the NSW Coastal Panel to council's Coastal Zone Management Plan (CZMP) by the end of this week (week ending September 12).
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In May this year, council adopted a policy of protection for Old Bar Beach, meaning council agrees with the principle of protection for Old Bar infrastructure, assets and property, but cannot put anything into place that implements this until the State government certifies the CZMP.
"I am pleased to say had a conversation with the minister yesterday morning, in which he advised me that he is meeting with the NSW Coastal Panel this week to discuss their response.
"The executive leader Laura Black and I met with the minister in August and were advised that the State government understood the urgency and importance of this matter and the need for a resolution.
"We have been working in partnership with the State government's Office of Environment and Heritage officers to get our CZMP before the minister.
"I have a great amount of empathy for the residents of Old Bar and particularly those most affected by coastal erosion.
"We have spent too long now talking about what can be done, the time is upon us now to act.
"As councillors we adopted a CZMP that recommended a solution of protection for Old Bar and the community now need that confirmed by the State so they can invest in protection of their properties with confidence."
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