Manly Dam: battle to halt $1.7m waterside boardwalk through untouched bushland
Authorities have been urged to dump plans for a $1.7m waterside path being built through ‘untouched’ bush on the northern beaches.
Manly
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A campaign has ramped up to halt plans for what critics describe as a “destructive” new $1.7 million boardwalk through a popular northern beaches bushland park.
Northern Beaches Council is being lobbied to drop plans for a raised waterside walkway — the Link Trail — between two large picnic areas on the shores of Manly Dam.
But its detractors say the boardwalk is a step too far into undisturbed bushland in the Manly Warringah War Memorial Park.
As part of its “Keep Manly Dam Wild” campaign, the Save Manly Dam Catchment Committee (SMDCC) fears the 390m long, and 1.8m wide, path will hack into sensitive bush and have a detrimental effect on threatened animals and plants.
But the council said that, overall, there was general support for the link trail after plans went out for public submissions. It said the majority of respondents supported a safer pedestrian path separate from the road that now runs between the picnic grounds.
The SMDCC’s Malcolm Fisher told a council meeting that the plan must be dumped.
Populations of threatened species such as the pygmy possum would be put in danger, Mr Fisher said.
“Why would anyone want to clear a 4m-wide corridor through intact bushland when it’s the beautiful nature that makes Manly Dam’s environments so special.”
As part of its proposal, the council wants to build the raised walkway, which will allow access for wheelchairs, prams and people with varied walking abilities between Picnic Areas 2 and 3.
It said the new trail would mean that people would not have to dodge cars while walking between the sites.
The boardwalk would start where the current concrete path ends just before Picnic Area 2 and follow the waterline through the bushland and on to Picnic Area 3.
The council argued the use of a raised boardwalk meant low-lying vegetation near the path would not be trampled and that small animals could pass beneath it.
Plans include viewing platforms as well as seated rest areas.
In a statement on its website the council said that most respondents to the release of the plans felt that the Link Trail would “improve safety for them and their families” and would “allow a wider range of people to enjoy the area”.
“In response to some of the feedback, our plans … include additional offset planting as well as signage with educational messaging along the trail to promote environmental awareness.”
Mayor Michael Regan said the council was “very excited to provide this boardwalk to what is a remarkable recreational area at our doorstep”.
“Public spaces are the heart of our community. They connect us, inspire us and make us healthier and happier.”
The SMDCC has previously argued that the council should spend the $1.7m to make other improvements around the park such as upgraded toilets and picnic areas.
Mr Fisher said a recent biodiversity study commissioned by the SMDCC found that fragmenting bushland with more tracks had a harmful impact on wildlife.
He reminded the council that several hectares of “fragile” bushland had been lost due to the expansion of Manly Vale Public School and that the approved plans for the development of more aged care facilities at Allambie Heights threatened a popular of rare climbing fish.
“So why cause even more destruction?
“We implore you to reject this proposition, don't accept any tenders and keep Manly Dam as nature intended.”
The council is expected to issue new tenders for the work later this year with construction expected to begin in mid-2023
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