An update on the Moonee Beach Access Track

After the recent work to the track we decided to go for a walk and report back with our findings.

Lindsay and I have traversed the boardwalk and found that it was an improvement on what we were initially built by NPWS – we were even able to pass people coming up with surfboards easily (those with boards should carry their board on the outer side of the track not in the centre when passing).

The treads have been replaced with wider and full length panels. Steps have been clearly marked with white strips. These wider panels increase the sense of safety and confidence in going up and down the track. We spoke with a couple of beach goers and asked their opinion as to the safety issues of the track and they made mention of sighting a snake at the top of the track.  The snake made its way under the walkway undisturbed, which made these people feel very safe and comfortable to use the raised beach access.

When initially speaking with Ranger Stacy, we had asked for passing bays and handrails.  However the current width of the walkway eliminates the need for these, which Ranger Stacy had implied on further discussions.

New Walkway with wider panels 1200mm wide

First Walkway 800mm Wide

The original boardwalk was made to standard AS 2156 at 800mm to stay within budgetary constraints but it was in our opinion “not fit for purpose” ( two people could not pass each other without one having to get off).

The access to Moonee Beach was designed as a Class 3 track in accordance with

Australian Standard (AS) 2156 (Walking Tracks) and has been built in accordance

with AS 1657 (Fixed Platforms, Walkways, Stairways andLadders). A Class 3 track

can have a variable width between 600 and 1200millimetres. A track width of 800

millimetres was adopted for this access to stay in theproject budget, meet the

Australian Standard and fit in the footprint of the previous informal track. A maximum

fall height of 950mm or less has been maintained across the structure to reduce the

need for handrails in accordance with Australian Standards.

Although we acknowledge that the current Beach Access Track is not adequate for all levels of fitness and mobility of users, however we will continue to push NPWS for the emergency heavy vehicle access which will provide a track for everyone.

Along with the new work on the track, NPWS has also erected a new sign alerting beach goers to the dangers of the area.  This sign is in multiple languages.

We appreciate Ranger Stacy listening to our issues andconcerns and following up with the work to date, in a timely manner.