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2023 Update
Work on the Pemulwuy track at Impeesa Reserve, Winston Hills, is now complete. The Pemulwuy Loop is now open to the public. Check out the new sandstone stairs and other landscaping upgrades. For more information on this walk and the 14 other beautiful bushwalks in our City, see our bushwalking pages.
November 2022
Temporary closure Impeesa Reserve, 28 November 2022 to 23 December 2022
Map - Click to enlarge
Pemulway Loop walking track closed
In 2021, bonded asbestos material (fibro pieces) were removed from a section of Pemulway Loop walking track at Impeesa Reserve and a section of the track was closed to allow for testing for asbestos contamination.
Erosion of the walking track following rainfall continues to expose small pieces of asbestos (fibro) fragments on and adjacent to the walking track that may pose a risk to public health and safety if disturbed.
Council engaged specialist contractors to develop an appropriate remediation strategy for Impeesa Reserve, and in November 2022, works to ensure the walking track will remain safe for public use will begin.
November closure and work program
A section of the Pemulway Loop walking track at Impeesa Reserve will be closed from 28 November 2022 to 23 December 2022.
Signage and detours will be in place – please do not enter the closed areas and follow the detour as signposted.
As part of the work, a protective ‘capping’ layer of sandstone pavement will be installed, along with new steps and a retaining wall.
Safe works
Upgrades to the walking track will be undertaken by a licensed asbestos contractor and will be overseen by an independent licensed asbestos assessor.
The works will be undertaken in accordance with current environment, health and safety standards to ensure public safety. All appropriate NSW Environment Protection Authority and SafeWork NSW protocols will be followed.
Schedule
Work will be undertaken Monday to Friday from 7am to 5pm. It is expected that work will be completed and the walking track re-opened by late December 2022 (weather and site conditions permitting).
Is there a risk?
Asbestos can only pose a risk to human health if it can become airborne and inhaled. While buried, there is generally a very low risk of exposure. However, it is important that Council identify sites where asbestos materials may be present and act should contamination be found.
Specialist consultants have developed an appropriate long-term treatment for the site which includes sandstone ‘capping’ to prevent asbestos from being disturbed. This will prevent an exposure pathway and ensure safe public use of the walking track can continue.
More information:
Contact the Open Space and Natural Resource Team on 1300 617 058 or email openspace@cityofparramatta.nsw.gov.au
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Impeesa Reserve investigation area Parts of Pemulway Loop walking track and the adjacent embankment within Impeesa Reserve are closed for Asbestos Contamination Investigation
Council has engaged specialist contamination consultants to conduct environmental testing across the northern section of Pemulway Loop.
This work will begin 2 June 2021 and is expected to be completed by 4 June 2021 (weather and site conditions permitting).
As a precautionary measure, parts of the track will remain closed until the investigations are fully resolved.
What are the next steps?
The City of Parramatta has engaged specialist contamination consultants to conduct environmental testing and soil sampling across the northern section of the Pemulway Loop walking track and adjacent embankment within Impeesa Reserve to confirm the presence and nature of the asbestos material.
A section of the track shown on the attached map will be closed for the duration of the investigation. Detours will be in place.
The investigation will be undertaken in accordance with current environment, health and safety standards to ensure public safety during the site works.
Is there a risk?
Asbestos can only pose a risk to human health if it can become airborne, and while buried asbestos generally is at a very low risk of becoming exposed, it is important that Council identify sites where asbestos materials may be present and act should contamination be found.
Our specialist consultants will provide advice on the most appropriate long-term treatment for the site should asbestos contamination be detected on the walking track and embankment.
Council will provide further updates on any interim and long-term treatments.
More information?
If you have any questions about this project, please contact Andrew Scholz, Council’s Project Officer, Contaminated Land on 9806 5050 or
