Major scaling works have begun in Burleigh Head National Park, as Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service (QPWS) and contractors begin the complex task of the safe removal of almost 30 boulders and other debris from the slope above the popular Oceanview Walking Track.
As a result of the Southeast Queensland floods and severe rainfall in February, two landslips have caused tonnes of rocks, gravel and soil to slide down the northeast ridge of the park, severely damaging the walking track below.
Rangers and contractors are now working to remove more than 25 large basalt boulders, some as big as two metres in width and weighing about three tonnes.
Larger boulders will be split into smaller pieces and then rolled down the slope to the lower side of the walking track, which will be protected from further damage using rubber mats and sandbags.
Workers will then use earth-moving equipment to move the soil and gravel from the landslide and complete repairs to the damaged track surface and works to stabilise exposed areas of the embankment.
No other tracks or facilities within Burleigh Head National Park will be affected by the works.
The Rainforest Circuit will remain open and can be accessed by the usual Tallebudgera and Burleigh entrances.
Visitors, including surfers accessing the water, are asked to follow the direction of rangers and contractors and stay away from the area for their own safety while works are underway due to the rolling boulders down the slope.
Works are expected to be finalised by late May, depending on the weather.
Landslips can occur following wet weather events, and rangers will continue to monitor, and respond to, any potential hazards within national parks resulting from the severe rainfall and floods.
Members of the public are urged check Park Alerts before visiting a national park.
