‘Deeply frustrated’: Popular beach to remain closed following ‘defects’

The reopening of a popular beach on Sydney Harbour has been delayed again due to building “defects”, more than two years after it was closed to the public.

Shark Beach at Nielsen Park was closed by the NSW Parks and Wildlife Service in early 2022 after its 100-year-old seawall was damaged in a storm six years earlier.

Despite reconstruction work initially projected to be completed later that year, NSWPWS revealed in an update last month that completion was delayed until October.

The agency said “construction complexities” and the need for remedial works to be undertaken at the contractors’ own expense had caused the delay.

“At the start of August, the contractor commenced execution of the grit-blasted finishes to the bleachers, mid-level terrace and promenade slabs,” NSWPWS said.

“As part of this process, National Parks and Wildlife Service and the project landscape architect identified that some remedial patching of concrete surfaces is necessary to rectify defects in the finish.

“This work is now under way, will be completed by the contractor at their own cost, and does not affect the integrity of the seawall structure but will require additional time to complete.”

With NSW Public Works closely monitoring progress at the site, NSWPWS said completion of the project was now due to take place in late October.

The long-awaited reopening has been delayed several times since work began in 2022, with NSWPWS stating earlier this year that it would wrap up in June.

Among the reasons for the delays have been adverse weather, the removal of 3600 tonnes of asbestos and termination of the original contractor.

In a statement, Liberal member for Vaucluse Kellie Sloane said she was “deeply frustrated” by the delay and had been briefed by the state government.

“Our community has missed two summers of swimming and was looking forward to the reopening in September,” Ms Sloane said.

“While this (delay) is disappointing, I have been advised that the delay will be weeks and not months.

“The reason for this is due to the need to rectify some defects in the finish of the concrete on the promenade.

“I will continue to keep you updated and will remain a thorn in the side of the contractors until we can all swim again at Shark Beach.”

NSW Environment Minister Penny Sharpe told ABC the project had taken too long, and she too was eager for the beach to be reopened for swimming.

“This is a project I have inherited and it has taken too long. I have asked the department to fix it as soon as possible,” Ms Sharpe told the national broadcaster.