Heathcote MP Maryanne Stuart has praised the efforts of involved parties that have resulted in addressing the ongoing issues at the Helensburgh Mountain Bike Park.

The park was closed in mid-2023 after ‘Asbestos Containing Material’ was found in the soil imported to the site and used to construct the park’s dirt tracks.

After the closure, Wollongong City Council worked with Ms Stuart and the licencee Helensburgh Off Road Cycle Club (HORCC) to develop a plan to remediate the site.

This included Council undertaking site inspections, working through a notification process with the Environment Protection Authority (EPA) and developing a Scope of Work for the remediation of the site.

Last week, the removal of the asbestos-contaminated soil was completed at Helensburgh Park. In total 2,200 tonnes of material were removed and transported to an asbestos licenced landfill facility in Erskine Park.

The required site clearance certificates from an asbestos hygienist for the site were obtained, so fencing removal could commence on Monday making the site publicly accessible again.

Quotes attributable to Maryanne Stuart MP, Member for Heathcote:

“The Helensburgh Mountain Bike Park is such a great community and resource to residents of the northern Illawarra.”

“While it was important that appropriate safety measures were put in place to prevent harm, the removal of the fence represents a deeply important step towards restoring this amazing area towards its ordinary state.”

“Thank you to HORCC for your patience and to everyone involved in the remediation works for the incredible job that has been completed.”

“I look forward to continuing to engage with the community to ensure that the reopened resource is able to be utilised to its fullest extent.”