The quest to restore public access to Garie Beach in the Royal National Park is continuing with a new contract locked in to deliver the repairs with a significant financial saving for taxpayers.
Transport for NSW has appointed Fulton Hogan to complete the project, which involves moving a section of the road further into the hill and driving approximately 100 15-metre long concrete piles into the side of the road for more than 150 metres.
Garie Road will remain closed until at least the middle of next year due to complications that have emerged during work carried out so far on the extreme damage caused by the historic levels of rainfall in 2022, followed by further flooding this year.
This repair work is a high priority for Transport for NSW and the repairs to Garie Road are progressing despite the many challenges thrown up by such a complex engineering task in a restricted and sensitive location like the Royal National Park.
The collapse of Garie Road was one of the worst in Greater Sydney and there has been continuing slippage of the road and land that increases risks around the location.
Surf Life Saving services will not operate from Garie Beach this summer, with Transport for NSW investigating options to support Garie SLSC during this challenging time. Transport will work with Garie SLSC on the renovation of their surf club, providing coordinated access through the work site so members of the club are able to get down to the club house and inspect it.
The National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) will continue to provide paid life guarding services at Wattamolla over the summer holidays period and these services will be resumed at Garie Beach once the precinct reopens.
NPWS is carrying out maintenance and repairs to buildings, paths and other structures that were also damaged in the Garie precinct to be ready for reopening.
The community is reminded to check the NPWS alerts page https://www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/alerts/alerts-list before visiting to Royal National Park.
Quotes attributable to Maryanne Stuart, Member for Heathcote:
“The land around Garie Road has continued moving and addressing such a complex design and construction challenge is taking longer than expected.
“As a result, Transport for NSW has reviewed the repair process and appointed a new contractor to complete the work, delivering a significant financial saving in the process.
“The unprecedented wet conditions have continued to saturate the landscape around this steep and sloping road with slippage damage to around 100 metres of bitumen, with cracks also appearing in new areas along the road.
“Transport for NSW and I have been working closely with the NPWS, engaging with local stakeholders including Garie Beach SLSC and the heritage listed cabin licensees in the immediate area.
“Everyone involved understands the inconvenience this causes to visitors, the park managers, and the local community but due to the precarious nature of the land at this location and the damage to such a large section, the road must remain closed until repairs are complete.
“People need to be aware that this is a dangerous area and not bypass the road’s closure, either on foot or by other means.
“We recognise this closure cuts Garie Beach off, but this is just another reason for people to not attempt to access the area – it is simply too dangerous.
“The Royal Coast Track is currently closed between Little Garie and Garie beaches and will remain closed over summer.”
