The following is an outline of the major objectives of a Management Plan for the Offshore Areas of Scotland Island and West Pittwater. It covers the environmental, infrastructure and community service conditions and issues of these Offshore areas.

This outline has been developed through a long community consultation process over three years. This outline has also been accepted by Pittwater Council and was incorporated in a motion which passed unanimously through Council on June 19, 1995.

While there is a large amount of reference material to call upon to put this plan together, unfortunately to date, there has not been any financial resources put aside to actually develop the plan in detail.

1.0 Environmental Heritage

1.1 Those features, places and items in the natural and built environmental of the Offshore areas which are of significant heritage and conservation value, should be identified.

1.2 Strategies should then be developed for the preservation of these features, places and items.

1.3 All other proposed developments should be considered in the light of their effect on these features, places and items.

2.0 Built Environment

2.1 This plan should determine whether, given present and projected development and population levels in the Offshore communities, there is a "reasonable probability" of there being significant health and safety risks (with special consideration for children and older people) in relation to at least these following issues:

1. The present water supply and/or waste water disposal methods.
2. The present methods for access and egress from commuter boats and the Ferry service at the public wharves.
3. The present condition of the public roads and their usage mainly by pedestrians, particularly on steep and slippery sections and also during extended periods of wet weather.
4. The present methods of garbage disposal and recycling.
5. The accumulation of fire hazardous "ground cover" on private and public land, considering the need to maintain a sensible balance between hazard control and sustaining ecologicalprocesses.

2.2 If the report identifies that a "reasonable probability" of significant health and safety risks does indeed exist in relation to any of the above, or in relation to any other condition or structures, then the Management Plan should include objectives for acceptable alternative system(s), and strategies and timetables for their resolution.

3.0 Public Facilities

3.1 To develop an integrated plan for all public infrastructure works which adheres to the principles of sustainability, best practice and quality of finish and which encompasses the following:

3.1.1 Road works and storm water dispersal systems including:

1. Principles and methods for the preservation and maintenance of the present unsealed roads so as to prevent further erosion and subsidence.
2. The sealing, with high quality materials, of certain sections of road (to be determined on a case by case basis).
3. Discouraging non-essential vehicular usage of the roads, particularly heavy vehicle usage and particularly during wet weather conditions.
4. Considering shifting some portion(s) of the present Fire Trail through Elizabeth Park on Scotland Island to minimise its environmental impact.
5. Report on the feasibility of changing the gazetting of that several hundred metres of virgin bushland section of Thompson Street on Scotland Island, from Fitzpatrick Avenue to and including Aoma Street, as a public road and re-gazette it as Thompson Reserve.
6. An ongoing schedule for maintenance of roads, tracks and drainage works with an emphasis on clean and permanent solutions.

3.1.2 Telephone, electricity and future telecommunications requirements, with consideration being given to the possibility of placing them underground.

3.1.3 Rubbish and recycling collection systems

3.1.4 Infrastructure for mainland access including commuter moorings, cargo wharf, public wharf and providing a suitable number of car parking spaces at Church Point, to allow those Offshore residents, for whom Church Point is their only reasonable transit point, adequate access to and from their homes.

Natural Environment

4.1 To develop an integrated plan for the management of all flora and fauna on public and private land which encompasses the following:

1. Weed control in public and private lands.
2. Management and control of domestic and non-indigenous animals.
3. Discouraging the introduction of further non-indigenous plants and animals
4. Preservation of the natural vegetation, both canopy and undergrowth.
5. Preservation and the thriving of indigenous fauna, recognising that vegetation communities provide food and habitat for wildlife.
6. Encouragement for the planting of indigenous and other native species where areas have been stressed through neglect and to where possible replace trees removed for legitimate building purposes.
7. Advising residents how they impact upon vegetation when building, clearing , planting
8. Ecologically sustainable systems for waste water disposal.