The new seawall at Little Manly Beach is opening in time for Australia Day 2023, after a delay due to the discovery of human remains and asbestos material at the construction site in 2022.
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Northern Beaches Council confirmed that the materials contaminated by asbestos have already been removed and disposed of by a licensed asbestos hygienist in accordance with Safe Work NSW guidelines.
Stockpile sieving and restoration of the grassed park area are are scheduled to be completed just in time for Australia Day.
Works at the site had previously been stopped, after construction workers discovered human remains east of Little Manly Cove in July 2022.
The asbestos fragments were discovered by archaeologists whilst doing follow-up investigations into the remains. Experts believe that the bones were likely of Indigenous origin and not of this era.
Archaeologists said the materials found were bonded asbestos, which possibly came from a historical activity or an old privately owned structure at the location.
It’s believed that asbestos was mined in Australia until 1984, and around 1.5 million tonnes of asbestos was imported between 1930 and 1983. In fact, it was used in over 3,000 building products before it was banned in Australia.
Because the works are culturally sensitive given that it involves Aboriginal remains, Council has consulted the Metropolitan Local Aboriginal Land Council (MLALC), Heritage NSW, archaeological consultants, environmental consultants and SafeWork NSW.
Meanwhile, works at the site were part of the Little Manly Reserves Landscape Masterplan, which includes upgrading the seawall at Little Manly Reserve and Beach. It will feature sandstone block, bleacher style seating as well as new concrete stairs and handrails.
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The benefits of the seawall upgrade include improved accessibility, creating a meeting area along the foreshore, and connecting the foreshore open space park with the beach.
