It’s one of the most famous river beaches in the Sydney metropolitan area and now Simmos Beach is an even better attraction than ever.
New stairs, small bridges and a kayak ramp are among the new features now open at Simmos Beach Reserve as part of a special project.
Finding your way through the reserve is now easier than ever with new signage also installed throughout the nature space network.
Thirty nine signs now mark the route, providing details about the five different walking tracks across the reserve.
Track upgrades include new stairs and small bridges to provide a safer walking experience and help stop erosion on the river trails as well as the new kayak ramp on the banks of the Georges River.
Each trail was named by Year 9 and Year 10 biology students from James Meehan High who researched the reserve’s history and the different flora and fauna in the area to help come up with the names.
The project took 12 months to complete and was funded by Campbelltown Council ($80,000) and Macquarie Fields MP Anoulack Chanthivong through the NSW Government’s Community Building Partnership fund ($20,000).
Mayor George Brticevic said the trail network and upgrade works would make traversing the reserve easier for visitors.
“Simmos Beach is an important asset and home to many threatened species in Campbelltown,” Cr Brticevic said.
“The new signage makes it easier for bushwalkers to find their way around the reserve and the track upgrades will ensure it’s an even more enjoyable experience for people while also reducing the environmental impact,” he said.
Works completed at the reserve include:
- upgrade of walking trails to appropriate standards including the install of stairs, bridges and stepping stones to promote safe walking passage and reduce potential environmental impact
- review of access into the reserve to prevent illegal trail bike use to ensure safety for reserve users
- closure of unused surplus tracks and trails to protect threatened flora and fauna species such as the Sydney Plains Greenhood orchid that is only found at this reserve
- installation of a kayak ramp to promote safe recreational access into the Georges River.
- design and installation of three trail head, three minor trail head and 33 wayfinding signs across the reserve to provide easier navigation
Council officers will be further investigating similar upgrades to other bushland reserves as part of an ongoing annual program focused at improving access and activating suitable bushland areas for the community to utilise.
