Make safe works underway at Wingham Riverside Reserve

Published on 27 June 2025

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MidCoast Council will begin “make safe works” at Wingham Riverside Reserve this week, following severe flood damage to the reserve in May.

Heavy machinery will be on site from today, with crews working throughout next week to clean up debris, remove hazards and stabilise the landscape. These works are focused on making the area safe – not on rebuilding or restoring infrastructure at this time.

“We know how much this space means to the community, and we want to be clear about what’s happening,” said Council’s Director of Liveable Communities, Paul De Szell.

“This is a clean-up operation to manage the significant safety risks that exist at the site. We are not fixing or rebuilding the damaged infrastructure at this stage.”

The damage at Wingham Riverside Reserve is extensive. The floods destroyed key infrastructure including:

  • Pedestrian paths, the boat ramp, pontoon, road access and boardwalks

  • The toilet block, which was flipped and left in a deep depression

  • Picnic areas, seating, shelters, bollards and signage

  • Underground services and utility lines

  • Vegetation, trees, and the surrounding landscape – much of it scoured down to bedrock

Much of the sealed access road is also gone, now ending in a three to five -metre vertical drop into a flood-eroded channel.

Council’s safety works will include:

  • Demolishing and removing the destroyed toilet block

  • Clearing fallen timber, concrete, metal, plastic, and other debris

  • Mulching green waste and damaged trees

  • Filling dangerous voids and drop-offs with clean fill

  • Removing damaged infrastructure like picnic shelters and pylons

  • Installing a temporary turnaround pad so maintenance and emergency vehicles can safely access the area

“Once the safety works are complete, Council will work with the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service to reinstate access to the Wingham Brush Nature Reserve,” Mr De Szell said.
“We’re doing what’s needed right now to protect public safety – but there are no immediate plans to rebuild.”

Council appreciates the community’s understanding and patience as this essential work is carried out. For updates on Council’s flood recovery please see midcoast.nsw.gov.au/floodrecovery

 

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