New permanent fencing to be installed on Brickyard Point, Austinmer

WORK will begin next month to replace a temporary fencing and improve community safety at Austinmer’s Brickyard Point.

Wollongong City Council on Monday endorsed a tender for over $270,000 for the installation of a safety fence along the cliff line at Brickyard Point.

The works to install the stainless steel balustrade fence are anticipated to begin in March and will take about four months, depending on weather conditions.

Wollongong Lord Mayor Gordon Bradbery said the work is the next stage of an ongoing project to improve safety for everyone using this location by providing protection against cliff falls.

“We know that the grassy area along the cliff line at Brickyard Point is a very popular spot for families and children,” he said.

“This project aims to ensure that our community can continue to use this area safely.”

Council undertook a safety audit and risk assessment for the cliff line above Brickyard Point and concluded that there was an immediate need for fencing along the edge of the cliff.

Following concerns from community members, Council installed a temporary safety fence at the popular spot as an interim measure.

Council has since endorsed the tender valued at $277,300.00 for the installation of a new, permanent fence.

“We take our community’s, and our children’s safety seriously. This project comes as a result of a number of reports of near misses by children playing near the clifftop edge,” said Cr Bradbery.

“The height and the sheer face of Brickyard Point makes this area dangerous for people near the cliff edge. Our safety review of the area has shown that the best course of action to reduce the risk of an accident is to install a permanent fence designed to discourage climbing.”

The new fence structure is anticipated to require minimal maintenance and has been designed to adapt to the harsh marine environment while blending into the landscape.

“Stainless steel is 100 percent recyclable and is very durable in marine environments like Brickyard Point. The installation of the new fence will provide a much stronger barrier that will have a longer lifespan than the temporary fencing currently in place,” Cr Bradbery said.

“This is a long-term solution that is designed to discourage dangerous activity near the cliff edge and is as visually unobtrusive as possible.”

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