Chapter Four

W1-A1 - Paruna

W1 - A1 Long-term Alternatives

A long term vision for the A1 route is for the maximum provision of public foreshore access possible through natural areas without damaging natural and cultural features and compromising the sustainability of the river.

There are currently 4 alternative sections identified:

1. CHET boardwalk extension (alternative to Central Avenue)
2. Mangrove Island Reserve to Paruna Reserve link (alternative to Central Avenue)
3. Doveleys Road to Yamba Road (alternative to Woronora Crescent)
4. Yamba Road to Lincoln Crescent (alternative to Woronora Crescent)

An extension of the boardwalk west along the mean high water mark of the foreshore to the small reserve at the corner of Wolger Street and Central Avenue (Mangrove Island Reserve), would add a significant 600m of wheelchair access, and enable close encounters with Mangrove Island.

A turning point in the reserve and passing places at regular intervals along the structure would facilitate two-way access along the boardwalk to and from Como Pleasure Grounds where improvements to disabled facilities are proposed in the Master Plan.

Altogether this represents approximately 1.2km of continuous wheelchair access to the foreshore (potentially 3.2km total access with appropriate upgrading of links across the bridge to Oatley). It is one of the few areas along the Woronora Way that falls within Class 1 of the Australian standard classification system for walking tracks, described as an. "opportunity for large numbers of visitors, including those with reduced mobility, to undertake walks which are provided with a high level of interpretation and facilities."

The major constraints to this scheme are:

• the presence of 4 private jetties out into the river, despite there being a 20 metres foreshore building line setback
• 25 private properties along this section of foreshore
• damage to the foreshore during construction
• human disturbance of native shore birds

The estimated cost of a boardwalk 600m x 1.5m at $370m2 is $333,000.

2. Mangrove Island Reserve to Paruna Reserve Link
   
   Between these two reserves there is a 30 metres foreshore building line setback and the houses are further back from the river. There is evidence of informal tracks on dry land above the mean high water mark through dense stands of Casuarina and Coastal River Flat Forest.
   
   An opportunity exists to formalise one track and revegetate the others and help protect a 200 meters section of foreshore from further development. There is significant evidence of property owners destroying native vegetation within the setback zone.
   
   The major issue to be resolved is the ownership of the land by seven private landholders.
   
   Estimated cost of 200 meters stone surfaced track - $25,000.

3. Doveleys Road to Yamba Road
   
   The reason for suggesting this route are the spectacular views of the river and surrounding hills from a fairly high (60 meters above sea level) vantage point. As well as the aesthetic beauty of the area, the geography, landforms and succession of vegetation communities from Grey Mangroves to Ridgetop Open Forests can be appreciated. It offers potential for environmental education close to Como West Public School.
   
   From Doveley Road the route descends via an existing timber and steel staircase construction down to Bonnet Avenue. At the southern end of the Avenue is a faint track that quickly peters out. A new track would need to be constructed for 350 metres through to Yamba Road Reserve opposite Como West Public school.
   
   The issues here are:

   • The steep gradient of the slope down to the river - any new track would need associated revetment works to maintain even surface and impact severely on bushland and river hydrology during construction and after, as material is washed down in storms.
   • Fragmentation of sensitive plant communities and wildlife habitats characterised by magnificent Angophora costata - Smooth Bark Apple, Eucalyptus piperita - the Sydney Peppermint, and Eucalyptus gummifera - the Red Bloodwood, prominent.
   • Although the setback is a generous 70 meters, 60 percent of the land is in private ownership requiring negotiations for use.

   The estimated cost of 350 meters of track is $45,000 (excluding land acquisition costs).

4. Yamba Road to Lincoln Crescent
   
   Following on from Doverley and Yamba Roads section described above, this potential route is accessed via the Yamba Road reserve opposite Como West Public School and continues south through the northern tip of the Glen Bushland Reserve to Lincoln Crescent for 650 metres. The views of the river and surrounds are again excellent.
   
   The advantages of this route are that:

   • The gradient of the river bank is significantly less steep than the Doverley and Yamba Roads section
   • Sutherland Shire Council has zoned the land for public recreation and future public recreation
   • Sutherland Shire Council owns 60 percent of the land and has an active program to acquire the remainder
   • It links to an existing management trail without the need to negotiate a steep section of path (graded 4/5) down from Lincoln Crescent - refer to W1 - A2

   The issues are:

   • fragmentation of the bushland as above
   • The area is identified as a threatened species and riparian buffer zone by Sutherland Shire Council in its Draft LEP 2003

   Estimated cost of 650 metres of track is $80,000 (excluding land acquisition costs).