Can you believe it? Sydney's beloved beach closed for summer...again! Here's why
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It’s an iconic Sydney beach known for its stunning views and swimming nooks, but for the second summer in a row, Nielsen Park Beach—or ‘Shark Beach’ as it is fondly known—is closed to the public.
The popular beach in Vaucluse in Sydney’s east has been closed since early 2022 after the century-old seawall was damaged by a storm in 2016.
The installation of a new seawall—undertaken by the now former Coalition State Government—had been projected to finish in December 2022, but unfortunately, that deadline was not met.
Instead, the project experienced delays due to the state government ending their contract with the civil engineering firm Delaney Civil after months had passed without significant progress in the construction.
The consistent poor weather also added to delays. But the more concerning cause is the discovery of large amounts of asbestos in the site.
A National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) spokesperson said the asbestos discovery added complications in seawall replacement.
‘In March 2022, there was an unexpected discovery of material containing asbestos at the site. This required specific clean-up efforts for safety reasons. There was also continued wet weather from March through to July last year,’ they explained.
According to the Cancer Council, asbestos is a mineral made of tiny fibres that can easily breathed in and become trapped in the lungs. Exposure to it can increase the risk of cancers in the lung, lung lining (mesothelioma), ovary, and larynx.
Unfortunately, due to the nature of the delays, the project's new completion date has been set to April 2024—pushing back the opening of the beach by two years.
The New South Wales Department of Planning and Environment released an update on the project, assuring that the ‘contractor’s latest construction program remains unchanged’ and the completion is still set for April next year.
Member of the Parliament (MP) for Vaucluse, Kellie Sloane, has shared the same frustrations as locals.
'The locals are very frustrated with the delays. There’s been a perfect storm of issues with that site,' she said. 'It’s understandable that locals are frustrated. Some of the locals I have been speaking to have been swimming there for 80 years, and they want to swim there again.'
Ms Sloane is still hoping for temporary access for locals this summer. 'At this stage, I’ve been informed that April is when it’ll be opened.’
‘But what I am seeking is either a safe pathway or a way to get early access this summer…If we can access a portion of that this summer, I know they’d be happy with that,' she stated.
The Mayor of the local Woollahra Council, Richard Shields, expressed the same sentiments. He shared the disappointment families feel after knowing they will miss out again on their favourite summer spot.
‘Like many locals, I have special childhood memories of summers swimming and playing at Nielsen Park. I am disappointed for young families who won’t have access to such a safe and spectacular location to enjoy with their kids until at least April next year,’ he shared.
He continued: ‘There is understandably a great deal of frustration with the ongoing delay to the NSW Government’s construction of a new seawall, which has caused increasing capacity issues at other nearby swimming locations, including Camp Cove, and personally, I am saddened that this will be the third summer the location will be closed to swimmers.’
Here at Seniors Discount Club, we feel for members unable to get to this wonderful spot.
After all, who doesn’t long for a dip in the ocean on a hot summer day? Hopefully, despite the delays, this treasured area will be back in action soon.
Have you been to Nielsen Park Beach, members? What are your fondest memories? Share them in the comments below!
The popular beach in Vaucluse in Sydney’s east has been closed since early 2022 after the century-old seawall was damaged by a storm in 2016.
The installation of a new seawall—undertaken by the now former Coalition State Government—had been projected to finish in December 2022, but unfortunately, that deadline was not met.
Nielsen Park Beach, a popular summer location, will be closed this summer. Credit: Paul Atroshenko/Facebook
Instead, the project experienced delays due to the state government ending their contract with the civil engineering firm Delaney Civil after months had passed without significant progress in the construction.
The consistent poor weather also added to delays. But the more concerning cause is the discovery of large amounts of asbestos in the site.
A National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) spokesperson said the asbestos discovery added complications in seawall replacement.
‘In March 2022, there was an unexpected discovery of material containing asbestos at the site. This required specific clean-up efforts for safety reasons. There was also continued wet weather from March through to July last year,’ they explained.
According to the Cancer Council, asbestos is a mineral made of tiny fibres that can easily breathed in and become trapped in the lungs. Exposure to it can increase the risk of cancers in the lung, lung lining (mesothelioma), ovary, and larynx.
Unfortunately, due to the nature of the delays, the project's new completion date has been set to April 2024—pushing back the opening of the beach by two years.
The New South Wales Department of Planning and Environment released an update on the project, assuring that the ‘contractor’s latest construction program remains unchanged’ and the completion is still set for April next year.
Member of the Parliament (MP) for Vaucluse, Kellie Sloane, has shared the same frustrations as locals.
'The locals are very frustrated with the delays. There’s been a perfect storm of issues with that site,' she said. 'It’s understandable that locals are frustrated. Some of the locals I have been speaking to have been swimming there for 80 years, and they want to swim there again.'
Ms Sloane is still hoping for temporary access for locals this summer. 'At this stage, I’ve been informed that April is when it’ll be opened.’
‘But what I am seeking is either a safe pathway or a way to get early access this summer…If we can access a portion of that this summer, I know they’d be happy with that,' she stated.
The Mayor of the local Woollahra Council, Richard Shields, expressed the same sentiments. He shared the disappointment families feel after knowing they will miss out again on their favourite summer spot.
‘Like many locals, I have special childhood memories of summers swimming and playing at Nielsen Park. I am disappointed for young families who won’t have access to such a safe and spectacular location to enjoy with their kids until at least April next year,’ he shared.
He continued: ‘There is understandably a great deal of frustration with the ongoing delay to the NSW Government’s construction of a new seawall, which has caused increasing capacity issues at other nearby swimming locations, including Camp Cove, and personally, I am saddened that this will be the third summer the location will be closed to swimmers.’
Here at Seniors Discount Club, we feel for members unable to get to this wonderful spot.
After all, who doesn’t long for a dip in the ocean on a hot summer day? Hopefully, despite the delays, this treasured area will be back in action soon.
Have you been to Nielsen Park Beach, members? What are your fondest memories? Share them in the comments below!
