Safety barriers to be installed at popular South Coast waterfalls
Works are set to commence to prevent access to the bottom of Belmore and Gerringong Falls, which have been the locations for four tragedies and numerous serious incidents in recent years.
Starting the first week of December, the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) will begin installation of barriers deterring access to the base of both Belmore Falls in Morton National Park and Gerringong Falls in Budderoo National Park.
The unauthorised routes to the base of these falls, which are littered with loose rocks, steep cliffs and unstable ground, are highly dangerous and NPWS records indicate:
- Since 2021, four deaths have tragically occurred at Belmore Falls, with eight rescues made there since 2016.
- Since December 2023, seven rescues have been made at Gerringong Falls, with one serious injury occurring there in 2021.
Geotechnical assessments undertaken on the unauthorised routes determined the risk to the public is unacceptable. Recent rain events have caused an uptick in rockfalls on these tracks, resulting in an even greater risk to walkers.
NPWS, as well as NSW Police, conduct regular compliance activities in these areas and penalties do apply for those found not following the rules.
Quotes attributable to NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service Illawarra Highlands Area Manager Andrew Wall:
"Unfortunately, access to the base of both waterfalls continues to be promoted through social media and blogs, despite the deadly nature.
"Public safety will always be the number one priority for NPWS, and we hope these barriers will help ensure all our visitors can return homes safely to their family and loved ones.
"Retrieving members of the public from the bottom of these falls requires significant resources and unnecessarily endangers emergency service workers. We are urging people to please prioritise safety."
