Manly to Shelly Beach: Gate to block walkers during huge swell
Massive waves are expected to hit the northern beaches on Tuesday so the council has installed a gate to stop walkers using a popular waterside pathway.
Manly
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Authorities have installed a special security gate to protect walkers and cyclists from giant waves on one of the northern beaches’ most popular waterfront tourist paths.
Northern Beaches Council confirmed it had put the heavy steel gate up at entrance to Marine Pde — the walkway between Manly and Shelly beaches.
The gate is temporary and will be in place as the weather bureau forecast issued a hazardous surf morning for Tuesday.
The Bureau of Meteorology swell, to come from the north east to reach heights of up to three metres.
It has issued a hazardous surf warning for the Sydney coastline on Tuesday.
Back in the winter of 2016 the walkway from Manly to Shelly Beach was badly damaged by huge waves, which washed away the toilet block, tore apart the concrete path and left the iconic sculpture at Fairy Bower rock pool smashed.
The Manly Daily reported at the time that businesses along the water front were also trashed, with windows smashed, while homeowners reported waves crashing through their properties.
Council CEO Ray Brownlee told the Manly Daily on Monday that the safety of the community and visitors to Manly was paramount.
“Council is very mindful of the safety of people using our paths and walkways, particularly those paths that run very close to the coast, “ Mr Brownlee said.
“Council has temporarily installed the gate to help keep pedestrians safe given the forecasts of stormy weather and associated swells in the next few days.”
Mr Brownlee conformed the gate was temporary and would only be only be used when conditions are dangerous during stormy weather.
It will be removed when the bad weather passes.
The Bureau has forecast easterly winds reaching up to 25 knots offshore during Tuesday morning before they turn north-easterly in the middle of the day.
Seas will be 1 to 1.5 metres, increasing to 1.5 to 2 metres offshore while the swell from the northeast will measure 2 to 3 metres, reaching up to 4 metres offshore during the morning.
One regular user of Marine Pde told the Manly Daily that people would still be able to access Marine Pde via Bower Ln. Security guards have been hired to patgrol the end of Bower Ln to warn people of the waves coming over the wall.
Another resident said people could simply climb over the gate.
Safety advice. Fom Police Force, Marine Area Command
People should consider staying out of the water and avoid walking near surf-exposed areas.
Rock fishers should avoid coastal rock platforms exposed to the ocean and seek a safe location that is sheltered from the surf.
Boaters planning to cross shallow water and ocean bars should consider changing or delaying their voyage.
Boaters already on the water should carry the appropriate safety equipment and wear a lifejacket.
Boaters should remember to log on with their local Marine Rescue radio base, via VHF Radio or the Marine Rescue APP, and consider their safety management plan.