NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS)

The scale of damage caused by extensive rainfall and flooding in national parks along the coastal escarpment south of Clyde Mountain was today described as 'staggering' and will result in the closure of some areas to the public until the damage can be repaired according to the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS).

NPWS staff have undertaken an extensive ground and aerial survey of the escarpment parks which cover almost 400,000 hectares of bushland between Clyde Mountain and the Victorian Border, to determine the extent of the damage to infrastructure, access tracks and roads and camping areas.

NPWS Far South Coast Regional Manager, Tim Shepherd, said today that the damage was widespread and considerable and will take some time to rectify.

"Based on our most recent site inspections we have decided that we will have to close most of Wadbilliga National Park to the public until further notice while access to parts of , Deua Monga and South East Forests national parks will be restricted," Mr Shepherd said.

"All campsites in Deua are open except Bendethera which we're hoping to have open for Easter, The 2WD accessed visitor facilities in Monga are open along with access to the bottom of the Corn Trail
Elsewhere hopefully all facilities except Postmans and 6 mile camping areas should be opened for Easter

"The very heavy rain and subsequent flooding last week has washed away culverts, and damaged some bridges as well as a number of important access roads within these parks.

"The rainfall experienced across the region was phenomenal. During a 30 hour period, 450 millimetres was recorded at Rocky Hall and 490 millimetres at Mt Darragh, with Bombala experiencing 100 millimetres in two hours.

"Some locals have suggested this was the most significant rainfall event to have been experienced across the region in 30 years. With extraordinary rainfall like this followed closely by strong winds, the damage to infrastructure and the number of fallen trees found to be blocking access trails is staggering. There will be months of work required before some areas are again open for visitors," he said

The exceptions to the closures are Myrtle Mountain, Wolumla Peak and Goodenia Rainforest in South East Forest National Park. Access is open to the Cascades camping ground in Wadbilliga National Park. All other roads and trails, including the section of Wadbilliga Road passing through the park are closed indefinitely.

"We are appealing to the public to abide by the closures and despite some drying, trails may still be very soft and slippery in parts or affected by seepage. Any vehicle traffic under the current conditions as well as being potentially hazardous, can cause even more damage to our access trails.

"Since our last report, the entrance to Brou Lake in Eurobodalla National Park has been opened making the camping area at Brou Lake accessible. All other visitor destinations in Eurobodalla National Park and the coastal parks, Mimosa Rocks, Ben Boyd and Bournda National Parks are open.
Access to Mumbulla Creek Falls in Biamanga National Park will reopen on 21st April.

"Please abide by the closures," Mr Shepherd said.

NPWS staff will be out over the coming weeks continuing damage assessments and starting the lengthy task of repairing trails and park facilities