UPDATE

Lands and Forestry Minister Paul Toole will provide emergency funding to Central Coast Council to dredge the Ettalong Channel.

It will allow the safe access of ferries coming into the channel from the lower Central Coast down and the Northern Beaches.

There’s currently no time frame set on how long the dredging process will take, but Ray will certainly be keeping a close on eye this one.

Central Coast Council is refusing to budge on dredging of the Ettalong channel.

The state government has funding available in rounds to help the council cover the cost, but Lands Minister Paul Toole tells Ray Hadley the council is asking for too much.

“When they’re asking for exorbitant figures that are unrealistic… they are playing games.”

The council is rejecting co-funding offers because it wants government to fully fund the dredging.

“Council has come out declaring the NSW government is responsible for the dredging,” says Minister Toole.

“They are not serious about wanting to help their community.”

Listen to the full interview below 

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