Bonnie Vale campground in the Royal National Park has been closed due to an increasing number of fragments of asbestos-containing material emerging from the soil.
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Drought conditions have helped expose the material, which has been buried since the the demolition of holiday cabins built from the 1930s.
The campground is closed until further notice, National Parks and Wildlife (NPWS) said.
“It will not be reopened until appropriate remediation work can be undertaken to ensure the site remains safe for staff and visitors.”
Bonnie Vale has long been a popular holiday destination for families and outdoor recreation.
From the 1930s to the 1950s, the area contained more than 500 campsites and 170 cabins.
These cabins were owner-built with wood, steel, and fibro sheeting made from asbestos.
Over time, most of these cabins were demolished, resulting in a legacy of asbestos containing materials in the form of asbestos cement (fibro) buried in the soil across the Bonnie Vale visitor precinct.
A small number of cabins remain.
NPWS director, Deon van Rensburg, said drought conditions had reduced ground cover and increased soil erosion in the visitor area.
This had increased the appearance of fragments of the material, particularly in high traffic areas such as the campground and boat ramp.
“As community, visitor and staff safety is our priority, the asbestos fragments being disturbed requires the regrettable, closure of the campground,” Mr van Rensburg said.
“This will enable a more detailed risk assessment and options for remediation.”
“NPWS staff are advising the local community and visitors of the closure and we are contacting campers who have bookings from the site after 19 September.”
“Access between Bundeena and Maianbar via the walking path through part of the campground will remain open.
“Walkers are requested to stay on the marked pathway when passing through the campground.
“The Bonnie Vale visitor area has old asbestos-containing materials buried in the soil because of past demolition of holiday cabins built on the site from the 1930s.
“All other visitor facilities in the Bonnie Vale precinct remain open.
“We apologise for any inconvenience, but as public safety is our focus, we simply must take this action.”
“The NPWS is working with NSW Health and the Environment Protection Authority”, Mr van Rensburg said.
Heathcote MP Lee Evans said he appreciated the closure of the campground would inconvenience members of the public.
“However, the community’s safety is my number one priority and as such I support the decision taken,” he said.
”The Bonnie Vale visitor precinct has been closely monitored and managed by NPWS under an Asbestos Management Plan.
“The plan has clear indicators for when a change in management is necessary.
“Further investigations will now take place by a specialist company to provide recommendations for remediation options.
“NPWS will also seek advice from NSW Health on completion of the investigations.
The NPWS website says:
- The risk assessment will include testing for asbestos fibres in the air.
- Bookings will be cancelled, and a full refund provided via the payment method used when making your booking.
- At the time bookings were taken “NPWS was monitoring and appropriately managing the exposure of limited amounts of old asbestos cement fragments on the site”.
Visit: nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/bonnievale
