A new, safer track along the groyne wall at Bargara was completed today after Bundaberg Regional Council explored ways to minimise trip hazards along the attraction.
Council’s Health and Regulatory Services portfolio spokesperson Cr. Wayne Honor said installation of plastic track pads began on Monday for the groyne wall, which is nearBargara’s Turtle Playground.
“Council is trying to improve the safety along the wall and still retain some access so we have been attempting to create a track that is safe for people to walk on,” Cr. Honor said.
Council was challenged with the need to find a material to create the track that would absorb the movement of the rocks when they were impacted by the swell.
Cr. Honor said at this stage the track was just a trial and although the plastic track pads came with no guarantee, Council was confident it would make the track safer to access.
“If any holes form in the rocks, the track pads will span across the hole and hold together.”
He said the track would only extend halfway along the groyne wall as towards the end of the wall the rocks were too uneven and were more exposed to the swell.
Bargara’s divisional representative Cr. Greg Barnes said he was pleased to see the track updated.
Before
After
“Council realises that people love walking out on to the groyne wall so we are trying to facilitate that in a safe way,” Cr. Barnes said.
“We recognise that there are risks involved with climbing on the rocks and if people want to venture out on to the groyne wall, we ask them to stick to the new track.”
The track pads are made of plastic and have holes throughout them. They are commonly used for tracks and vehicle access tracks.
Date: 08-05-2013