New boardwalk opens up one of the Sutherland Shire's hidden gems

The unique history, ecology and stunning scenery of Grays Point is set to be showcased like never before, with Sutherland Shire Council officially opening a new boardwalk around the peninsula earlier today.

The newly completed Grays Point Reserve Boardwalk provides vastly improved access for local residents and visitors to the area while providing greater protection to a number of ecologically sensitive features endemic to the Grays Point peninsula as well as a number of sites of Indigenous cultural significance.

Sutherland Shire Mayor, Councillor Jack Boyd was joined on site by fellow B Ward Councillor Joanne Nicholls and Council staff to formally open the new facility, saying he was delighted to see the project already well used by local residents.

“The Grays Point peninsula is one of the true hidden gems of the Sutherland Shire, and with the completion of this new boardwalk Council is providing greater opportunity for people to enjoy and explore this beautiful spot,” Mayor Boyd said.

“With the delivery of this new boardwalk we are helping to not only make this stunning part of the Port Hacking foreshore more accessible for those looking to enjoy a range of recreational activities, but we are also protecting the surrounding environment too.”

Skirting the waterfront of the Grays Point peninsula, the new walkway provides a purpose-built walkway through the surrounding rainforest with stairs down to the riverside allowing ready access for swimmers and those looking to launch small watercraft. The inclusion of a dedicated viewing platform also offers panoramic 180-degree views of the surrounding Hacking River.

In conjunction with the delivery of the new walkway, Council will also conduct extensive regeneration of the surrounding bushland to enhance the peninsula’s natural beauty.

“With visitors now able to explore this stunning area along a dedicated purpose-built walkway, we are helping to protect the surrounding bushland from unnecessary degradation, ensuring this beautiful natural area can be enjoyed for generations to come,” Mayor Boyd said.

Grays Point is home to endangered littoral rainforest as well as a rare beetle species which is all but unique to this part of the Sutherland Shire. Through the delivery of a dedicated walkway we are helping to minimise the impact of human activity on these sensitive ecological features.

With the boardwalk now complete, Council will progressively install a series of interpretive signs along the length of the new walkway highlighting sites of ecological and cultural significance.

“It’s incredibly exciting to see middens and other sites which bear testament to the importance this area had to First Nations people will finally get the attention they deserve,” Mayor Boyd said.

“With the installation of new signage on site, this project will help to point out some of the culturally significant sites that might otherwise escape unnoticed and help to further educate our community on the incredible depth of Indigenous history we have in the Sutherland Shire.”