NPWS Issues Statement

The intense rainfall system that is hitting NSW is impacting several National Parks.

The NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service thanks all NPWS staff and the thousands of SES volunteers who are working to keep our community safe.

NPWS update as of 1600 Saturday 6 April:

North and North Western Sydney

• Lane Cove National Park precinct has been closed.
• Basin Campground in Ku-Ring-Gai National Park is closed.
• Part of the Collins Beach Track is closed.
• There are several trees down and crews are assessing the impact.
• Unable to access Maroota Ridge State Conservation Area, Pitt Town Nature Reserve, Agnes Banks Nature Reserve and Castlereagh Nature Reserve due to localised flooding.
• Mitchell Park, Cattai National Park, Bligh Park and Agnes Banks Nature Reserve are isolated by localised flooding.

South and South-West Sydney

• Bents Basin State Conservation Area is closed.
• Georges River Regional Park is closed.
• Royal National Park
  • Audley
    • Weir remains closed and sites around the precinct are very wet and will remain closed.
    • Boat shed has been damaged.
    • Sewer inspections underway to restart systems.
  • Wattamolla
    • The pontoon has been dislodged and a fence at cliff edge is damaged.
    • Site is closed and will remain so until more detailed inspections can be completed.
  • Bonnie Vale
    • Open but wet.
    • Campground is open but many have cancelled.

Blue Mountains and west

• Damage to Megalong Road has closed access to Megalong Valley including NPWS Galong Cabins and Dunphys Campground until further notice.
• Wombeyan Caves has experienced moderate flooding and some minor damage.
• Causeways and roads are flooded on access roads into Dharug, Turon, Capertee and Marrangaroo National Parks, Gardens of Stone State Conservation Area and parts of Wollemi National Park.
• The Oberon Colong Stock Route accessing Yerranderie Regional Park has been closed by Wollondilly Shire Council.
• Top Crossing at Wentworth Falls damaged.
• Subsidence to Undercliff Track has made approx. 10 metres impassable.
• Subsidence to Prince Henry Track has made approx. 15 metres impassable.

Sydney Harbour

• Dangerous tides have impacted Sydney Harbour National Park.
• Nielsen Park
  • The Seawall was flooded but has now drained and contractors are onsite – nil impact on major site infrastructure.
  • An area behind the dressing sheds and a concrete pit lid has been fenced off.
  • Full assessment of the formwork will be conducted Monday 8^th April. Any rework is proposed to be actionable within 24-48hrs. NPWS is advised one to days of remedial work will be needed, with an anticipated project delay of one week maximum.
• Strickland Estate
  • Dead tree branch covered in vines resting on power lines from Vaucluse Road to Mens Ward at Strickland. No public access.

Illawarra Highlands

• • Minnamurra Rainforest has sustained significant damage to the walking tracks and infrastructure and will be closed until further notice,
  • Minnamurra Visitors Centre will reopen Wednesday 11 April.