Manly Warringah War Memorial State Park (Manly Dam) will be a hive of activity for one day next week when a helicopter will be used to deliver essential construction material to otherwise inaccessible areas of the park.

Northern Beaches CEO Ray Brownlee said the operation has been carefully planned.

“The entire park will be closed on Monday 6 December between 7am and 5pm for the safety of the community while massive sandstone blocks and decking will be delivered to five drop off zones in the park.

“About 65 bags weighing up to 900kgs each will be meticulously lifted from a nearby oval and dropped down to areas where it is impossible to get vehicular access to deliver them.

“Manly Dam as most locals affectionally know it as, is Sydney’s largest freshwater lake and is one of the Northern Beaches best kept secrets offering a unique landscape, natural biodiversity and a rich Aboriginal history.

“The works we will complete over the next seven months are part of ongoing upgrades and maintenance to improve the popular recreational track to ensure this is a premier destination for not only locals but visitors to the area,” Mr Brownlee said. 

In addition, up to 40 stone blocks will be carried by hand into the park on the day.

Works on the track will commence in mid-December and include the installation of sections of boardwalk made from Fibre Reinforced Plastic (FRP) which protects vulnerable parts of the track prone to washaway and boggy mud puddles. The works will also include new sandstone stairs to replace the stepping stones as well as new signage.

The works will also protect the diverse flora and fauna that the park is known for. Council is working hard to minimise any impact of the works on this sensitive area.

Council will make all efforts to minimise any impact to the community as renewal works take place by making detours and carrying out most of the works during business hours.

This $250,000 project is made possible thanks to funding from the NSW Government’s Crown Reserves Improvement Fund with the remaining costs absorbed by Council.