Wild conditions take toll on Old Bar beach stairs

Published on 22 January 2018

Last week’s rough seas along the Mid North Coast have damaged infrastructure in the Old Bar area, requiring the closure of the Vandenberg stairs near the Surf Lifesaving Club.

The area of beach directly under the stairs, which lead down from the Vandenberg viewing platform, suffered extensive erosion during the recent weather event and is no longer able to provide the required level of support. While the viewing platform is still open and safe for public use, the stairs will remain closed indefinitely until significant sand recovery has occurred at the site.

“Our coastal zones are an ever-changing landscape, and at times can be challenging in terms of maintaining infrastructure”, explained Dan Aldridge, MidCoast Council’s Manager Community Spaces, Recreation and Trades. “Public safety is our foremost priority, and in this case has required the closure of the stairs”.

The Vandenberg stairs are one of three beach access points leading to Old Bar Beach in close proximity to the surf club. A second set of stairs remains operational, and the board and chain access point, while also damaged during last week’s wild conditions, has been repaired and is open for business as usual.

The access point known as the Vandenberg stairs and viewing platform was named in honour of the late Jeff Vandenberg, a life member of the Taree Old Bar Surf Lifesaving Club.

Visitors to Old Bar Beach are asked to observe signage and use the alternate access points.