Nielsen Park’s Shark Beach to be shut again for summer as frustration mounts

A popular eastern suburbs beach will be shut for another summer, as a tussle breaks out to open the spot to swimmers in coming months as frustrated families voice dismay over the delay.

Nielsen Park beach in all its glory. Picture / Monique Harmer

A popular eastern suburbs beach will be shut for another summer, as a tussle breaks out to open the spot to swimmers in coming months as frustrated families voice dismay over the delay.

Nielsen Park’s Shark Beach, a popular and picturesque stretch of sand in well-heeled Vaucluse, was initially shut down in early 2022 as construction began to install a new sea wall under the former Coalition state government.

But the work has been plagued by contract disputes, which included the government tearing up its agreement with the previous firm undertaking the work last year, as well as discoveries of large amounts of asbestos, with the beach still a construction site almost two years later.

The work comes after the previous seawall was severely damaged by flooding in 2016, with the decision made to tear up the old 160m concrete seawall and instead install a new structure which could withstand regular rugged weather.

Marcus and Gabi Kosmin with their 9 month old daughter Jordan. They have been waiting three years for access to the beach while construction has been delayed on the project due to government and contractor issues. Picture: Richard Dobson

The latest update from the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS), which is responsible for the beach, has the earliest opening date now being February 2024.

It means families are set to miss out on another summer at the beach, with Vaucluse MP Kellie Sloane telling The Telegraph she was lobbying the state government to open up swimming access this summer even if work isn’t done.

“I share the community’s frustration and anger over the closure of this beach. It is unacceptable that what was supposed to be an 18-month project has blown out to three summers,” Ms Sloane said.

“I am fighting for works to be fast-tracked and I am determined to swim at Nielsen Park with locals this summer.”

In a letter to Ms Sloane from environment minister Penny Sharpe, seen by The Telegraph, the Minister revealed her department is looking at ways to speed up the completion of the project.

Ms Sloane said she would be “a thorn in their side until I see answers”.

Construction at the site rumbles on. Picture: Richard Dobson

Locals Marcus and Gabi Kosmin had hoped to hold their first birthday for their baby daughter Jordan at the beach.

“I can’t believe another summer will pass and we can’t take our baby down there for a play and swim. We were planning on having her first birthday down there in the park. But as her birthday is in November, that unfortunately won’t happen now,” Marcus, who has been going to the beach for more than 30 years, said.

A spokesman for NPWS said the earliest concrete bleachers would be put down would be February 2024, but it could be delayed further by other factors like bad weather. The full schedule of works, including landscaping, is set to finish by April next year.

“The site will re-open for swimming as soon as it is safe to allow visitors to access the beach. Netted swimming is available a nearby Redleaf Beach,” he said.