$1.25m in damage to Council’s bushland reserves after summer bush fires

The summer bush fires left significant hazards and damaged infrastructure at a number of Blue Mountains City Council bushland reserves including Mount York, Pulpit Rock and Popes Glen. 

Large portions in the upper Blue Mountains were severely burnt, significantly impacting hundreds of assets including footbridges, signage, stairs, steps and recreational infrastructure. 

The repair bill for the damage is at least $1.25 million.

In February, the Blue Mountains was further impacted by heavy rain resulting in large scale soil loss, landslips and erosion.

Mayor Mark Greenhill said: “Some of these areas still remain closed as Council works to repair damage to the infrastructure, manage erosion and provide adequate time for the bushland to recover.  

“By keepings areas closed we are allowing areas to regenerate and are limiting the public’s exposure to hazards such as dangerous trees, missing infrastructure, as well as unstable tracks.”

Fire impacted areas were initially closed because of hazards associated with falling trees, however the danger associated with damaged infrastructure still exists.  Council will be managing tree hazards and undertaking repairs on damaged infrastructure over the next few months. 

Some sites may remain closed for longer periods where major infrastructure needs replacing.

Mayor Mark Greenhill said: “Along with 32 other NSW Councils, Blue Mountains City Council was included as one of the most severely bush fire impacted councils in NSW; and received $1 million from the Federal Government for locally-led recovery projects and activities deemed essential for the recovery and renewal of the community. 

“This funding has provided significant assistance for on-ground bush fire recovery works.” 

Council will also be reliant on insurance to assist with repair and replacement costs. 

“The recovery of the City and its tourism industry will rely on reopening these important tourism attractions as soon as possible, however the repair and restoration of fire and flood damaged infrastructure will require an enormous undertaking by Council with so many natural areas affected at the same time,” Mayor Greenhill said.

“Council appreciates the community’s patience while we work our way through these areas to make them safe, and requests that residents respect closed areas by not entering them.”

The natural disaster in February that closed Cliff Drive and Leura Cascades has also left a complicated and expensive clean-up for Council. Get more information at bmcc.nsw.gov.au/cliff-drive.

Council’s Charles Darwin Walk, the other popular visitor area affected by February’s flash floods, also has a significant clean-up bill.

For more information on Council’s walking track closures go to bmcc.nsw.gov.au/walking-tracks.