Scenic Rim Council responds to petition to reopen up to six waterfalls in Beechmont, including Killarney Glen

Council have responded to calls from residents who say “it's time” to reopen up to six waterfalls including what was once a popular heart-shaped rockpool.

Scenic Rim Council have responded to calls from residents who say “it's time” to reopen up to six waterfalls including what was once a popular heart-shaped rockpool.

A petition to reopen up to six waterfalls in Beechmont has been circling on social media as residents call for funds to reinstate public access to “this precious part of the Scenic Rim and Gold Coast Hinterland”.

The six waterfalls include: Killarney Falls, Twin Falls, Rainbow Falls, Carven Falls, Lip Falls and Denham Falls.

Killarney Falls also known as the heart-shaped rockpools. Photo: Supplied

Emergency services searching for a man after he failed to resurface at the Killarney Glen waterhole. Photo Supplied Channel 9

However, a Scenic Rim council spokesperson said the area would not be reopened because visitors had to cross private property to access the waterfalls.

The gorge was closed in 2020 after a review of safety risks following the drowning of a 19-year-old man in a heart-shaped rockpool at Killarney Glen in 2016.

The restricted military area had been the subject to a slew of “trespassers” since its closure.

The council spokesperson said the access to one of the waterfalls, Lip Falls was closed due to concerns over public safety and legal liability.

Lip Falls. Council say crowds (mainly on weekends) are lining the streets to park illegally at waterfall sites at Beechmont after the closure of Killarney Glen. Picture: Richard Gosling

“Visitors had to cross private property to gain safe access to the waterhole which is no longer available,” they said.

“Vehicular access to the site is within a residential area where any significant visitation numbers would adversely impact on those residents.

“At present, council seeks to maintain limited access to other parts of the reserve and continues to ensure weed management is undertaken to protect its environmental values.”

The spokesperson advised those wanting to find waterfalls or waterholes to visit Cedar Creek Falls at Tamborine Mountain, Christmas Creek Falls, Flanagan Reserve and more.

The petition said the six closed waterfalls were a “popular destination with day trippers, bush walkers, fossickers and students for over a 100 years”.

Carven Falls in the 1900s. Photo: Supplied

The call for its reopening was met with a mixed response from locals who said “rocks and trees were being carved into”, plants “trampled” and that nearby homeowners were “abused” by visitors.

“People trashed the place,” Desleigh Bycroft said.

“Visitors parked over people’s driveways and abused the homeowners when asked to move their cars.

“I would love to see them open but unfortunately people just abuse it.

“I think options need to be explored and these issues need to be addressed somehow, so the area is preserved and not destroyed.”

On Monday morning, the petition had just over 600 signatures.

“Two of the falls were closed down too hastily without any local input,” Jack Hopkins said.

“We want our gorge and swimming holes back.”

Other residents shared their doubts of the reopening and said “the days are over people”.

“(It is) army land where they do actually shoot things,” Steve Carmody said.

“I’m sorry but keep it closed. People come and trash it,” Hayley Collinson said.

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Originally published as Scenic Rim Council responds to petition to reopen up to six waterfalls in Beechmont, including Killarney Glen