Rockface collapses onto roadway

A section of rockface above Phegan's Bay Rd has collapsed onto the roadway.

The collapse occurred at around 10pm on July 8.

According to a statement from Gosford Council, work started immediately to ensure the safety of the site and to assess the need for stabilisation works in the area between Phegan's Bay and Woy Woy Bay Rds.

"The collapse was a result of natural erosion, and does not appear to have damaged the formation of adjacent Phegan's Bay Rd or Woy Woy Bay Rd," council stated.

"Work commenced immediately to protect both pedestrians and motorists in Phegan's Bay Rd from any further rocks or debris fall, with the placement of temporary concrete barrier kerbs.

"A temporary asphaltic kerb has also been formed on Woy Woy Bay Rd above the rock fall site to prevent road water draining onto the rock face.

"These works were completed on July 9."

A temporary traffic light control has been installed along Phegan's Bay Rd to allow one-lane traffic flow past the rock fall site until the temporary concrete barriers can be removed.

Council stated that a relatively small quantity of unstable earth and several trees will be removed from near the top of the rock fall site, adjacent to Woy Woy Bay Rd.

"Once these unstable items are removed, the geotechnical consultant will undertake a full assessment of the rock fall site and adjacent escarpment to ascertain what, if any, remediation work should be undertaken from this point," council stated.

"Local emergency services have been informed and a council officer will be present at the site at all times until the hazard is eliminated should a further rock fall occur."

The Bays Community Group vice-president Mr Greg McMullen said it was reassuring to see council take the incident seriously.

"I gather from the comments received thus far from locals that council are going above and beyond the call to make sure that there is not a repeat of the Bulls Hill or Somersby scenarios," Mr McMullen said.

Peninsula activist Mr Edward James visited the rock fall site the day after the collapse and said it was lucky no one was injured.

"Residents below the rock fall site in Raymond Rd should be thankful the potential for injury and death, generated by the resulting land slip, was arrested by Phegan's Bay Rd and the concrete barrier," Mr James said.

"It must be said that Phegan's Bay Rd appears to be in worse condition than Pearl Beach Dr, another single access community, currently benefiting from the long overdue stabilisation work.

"Gosford council road crew has put in a big effort and believed to have been working around the clock to make the roads safe for general use again."

Press release, 10 Jul 2009 Stephen Glen, Gosford Council Clare Graham, 10 Jul 2009 Interviewee: Greg McMullen, the Bays Community Group Edward James, Umina