THE perilous state of the Towra Point boardwalk has raised the ire of residents, researchers and councillors after it was left to degrade to the point where it has been shut due to safety concerns.
Originally built by Rotarians, a combination of vandalism and neglect has seen the boardwalk behind Sharkies fall into disrepair.
A Sutherland Shire Council spokeswoman said after the Sharks Woolooware Bay project was approved there was debate as to whether Bluestone offered, as part of its application, to rebuild the boardwalk as it was shown on the plans.
"The response from Bluestone to council has been that they did not offer to rebuild the boardwalk as it was not listed in their 'statement of commitments' or specifically offered elsewhere in their documentation," she said.
A Bluestone spokesman said it had long been part of the company's intent to upgrade the mangrove boardwalk despite it not being a condition of approval.
"Whilst this work is not a condition of the project consent, Bluestone had offered to upgrade this important infrastructure as part of its Sutherland Shire Council section 94 contributions for the broader development."
Bluestone's managing director Ben Fairfax said once the go-ahead was given it was expected the park would be completed from the final quarter of 2016.
"From our understanding, council is still in control of this area," he said.
"Should council agree to what we're proposing, Bluestone will assume responsibility to rebuild and work with all authorities, these being council, Roads and Maritime Services and Office of Environment and Heritage."
The council spokeswoman said the area would not be accessible to the public for some time.
Sutherland Shire councillor Kevin Schreiber said the current state of the boardwalk was "just criminal — it has been eroded away."
"It was used for many years for the community to take in a pristine area of Sydney."
Cr Schreiber said a group from Sydney University rang him recently to express their horror that they couldn't access the area to do their research.
The ecologically fragile area needed protection from further vandalism sooner rather than later, he said.
COMPROMISED
Teacher and resident Jeff Harte is also angered by the current state of the boardwalk — in previous years his students had used the area for studies but it was no longer possible in its current state.
‘‘The integrity of this recreational, educational and community resource is being compromised by apathy and inaction,’’ Mr Harte said.
‘‘Towra Point has the dubious distinction of having earlier received the Grey Globe Award from the World Wetlands Network for Ramsar sites under threat.
‘‘If nothing is done the quality of the shire’s environments will be a distant memory.’’
What should be done to rejuvenate the area?