"HOPEFULLY no more high tides" is the comment of Taree Old Bar Surf Club administrator Jan Clingeleffer when she contemplates the temporary nature of the repair to the club's vehicle access to Old Bar Beach.
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Last Friday the wooden ramp structure was lifted to allow tonnes of sand to be added to the beach in order to alter the gradient of the ramp. High tides had eroded the sand in front of the surf club, rendering the ramp dangerous for vehicle use. Repeated appeals by the surf club to Greater Taree City Council and the State government for planning and funding assistance saw the provision of $5000 to fund repair work that would again enable surf club members vehicle access for patrols and the provision of prompt emergency medical assistance on the beach.
"It's great to have it (the ramp) available to our patrolling members, allowing them to get the inshore rescue vehicle and equipment on to the beach," Jan said.
"On the weekend, visiting club Coledale helped out with patrol to give our club a little break. They were able to get the equipment and marquees on to the beach using the ramp.
"Thank you to all parties involved and hopefully no more high tides!"
The provision of beach access in the medium to long term is now on council's agenda.
Council's senior leader governance Jane Ree says "it is not the intention to maintain this (ramp) into the future should erosion continue", adding that staff will look to design "a shovel-ready project for a sustainable emergency access on the northern side of the Jeff Vandenberg viewing platform."
