Juergen Seil highlighted the unresolved problem that exists at Admiralty Ave Park storm water retention lake and wildlife sanctuary at council's November ordinary meeting. He felt compelled to speak out about the issue on behalf of the Myall Quays neighbourhood and many other Tea Gardens residents.

Although the developer built an exemplary reserve in the mid 1990s, in accordance with council approved specifications and landscape plan, Mr Seil believes the reserve became neglected when council took over the reserve in mid 2002.

"Many complaints and letters finally resulted in a general clean up of the reserve, but after that, without community consultation, up goes a cyclone perimeter fence with the flimsy excuse of an insurance company request," Mr Seil said.

"A simple professional approach by adding sand and altering the batter from 3:1 to 4:1 would have cost a fraction of the cost of erecting an expensive fence," he added.

Mr Seil believes that repeated requests over the past 18 months to remove the fence have now resulted in a new excuse - no budget. He said the fence was a costly mistake and wasted taxpayers funds for a "band aid solution". Mr Seil told the meeting that residents and visitors now see a number of problems on a daily basis including:

* Ugly cyclone fence like a detention centre

* All ducks, egrets and water hen breeding grounds destroyed

* All frogs have disappeared

* Reeds required for stormwater filtering are now dead with poor water quality

* Stormwater from council streets is now flowing dirty into the Myall Quays waterways

* Original reserve purpose not useable by residents

"All in all not a pretty picture," he said.

Mr Seil asked council, "When will you act to restore the reserve to its original design?"

Great Lakes Council's mayor, John Chadban sympathised with Mr Seil and agreed that it was certainly a very unsatisfactory situation.

"We will get back to you with more information in the next three weeks," Cr Chadban said.

"I certainly understand your need to be here today as a resident."