Works to protect dunes and visitors have started at Samurai Beach in Tomaree National Parks, the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) Director of Hunter Central Coast Kylie Yeend said.
“Work has begun to help protect cultural sites and improve visitor safety and experience at Samurai Beach in accordance with the Tomaree National Park Plan of Management,” Ms Yeend said.
“Given this beach was recently temporarily closed to vehicles as part of the state’s COVID-19 response, the timing around the delivery of these works has panned out really well.”
The works were announced in 2019 and centre around gates, fencing and visitor information.
NPWS will be installing a gate at the entry to Samurai Beach to help with closures in emergencies and extreme weather events, replacing fencing along the four-wheel-drive track and building new fencing around the Samurai campground.
“We’re replacing deteriorated infrastructure to better protect Aboriginal cultural sites and the sensitive coastal environment, while improving visitor safety, experience and compliance at this popular beach.”
Additionally, the frontal dune will be fenced off and rehabilitated over the coming months to keep people and vehicles off the sensitive coastal ecosystem and culturally significant areas.
While pedestrians can still access Samurai Beach during construction, visitors are advised to check the NPWS website for possible closures while heeding the latest COVID-19 advice before heading to a national park.
The work will be delivered in stages and is expected to be complete in October.
