A long running plan to permanently fence off the cliff face next to Headlands Hotel will finally go ahead next year.
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Wollongong City Council is asking companies to bid for the contract in install a one metre high steel fence along the edge of the cliff, which was identified at least two years ago as being a danger to children and hotel patrons.
The dangerous 20-metre drop became problematic due to the popularity of the multi-million dollar Headlands development, which was built without a fence to allow for public access.
In late 2018, the council installed a temporary fence along the headland in front of the hotel after residents reported dangerous 'near misses' involving children.
In 2019, the council then met with residents and other stakeholders, some of whom objected to a fence being installed on the public headland, and decided to progress with installing a barrier despite concerns.
It has taken until now to progress with the work and interested companies are asked to lodge their tender application with the council by January 14.
The proposed fence is to be constructed of stainless steel, span approximately 185 metres and be approximately a metre high - which is lower than the temporary fencing now on site.
Upon possession of the site, the successful contractor will need to install their own temporary safety fencing, or take over management of the council's fence. They must also have a plan for working safely at a cliff's edge.
The Headlands Hotel must be able to remain open at all times throughout the project and dust and debris must not affect patrons, the council says.
After tenders close, companies will be assessed against a range of criteria, with the cost of the project to the council given the most weighting.
Kate McIlwain
For more than a decade, I've helped the Illawarra Mercury set the news agenda across the region. Currently I'm the paper's health reporter - covering the stories of Illawarra workers and residents in the wake of a global pandemic and at a time where our health systems are stretched to the limit.
For more than a decade, I've helped the Illawarra Mercury set the news agenda across the region. Currently I'm the paper's health reporter - covering the stories of Illawarra workers and residents in the wake of a global pandemic and at a time where our health systems are stretched to the limit.
