Pulpit Rock Shelter, Blackheath NSW
Client: Blue Mountains City Council
Overview
In the aftermath of NSW’s 2019 bushfires, it was discovered the much loved picnic shelter at Blackhealth’s popular Pulpit Rock walking track and lookout was burnt out. While not considered a heritage building, the building resides in the magnificent World Heritage Listed Blue Mountains National Park.
As part of an early package of restoration works to the surrounding walking trails and lookouts, Blue Mountains City Council needed an Open Space specialist with substantial hard construction credentials to help restore this important piece of infrastructure in a way that was sympathetic to its surroundings.
Situation
Summit Open Space Services was awarded the contract for Facilies Maintenance and tasked with re-roofing the hut for the enjoyment of locals and visitors, as well as the clean up and regeneration of the burnt out vegetation surrounding the hut.
Project
The Summit Services team assessed the damage and took care to plan out the construction and environmental restoration phases to ensure the highest standards of safety were in place.
The construction scope included:
- reframing the picnic shelter roof
- installation of galvanised steel roof structure
- repairs to the stone walls and steel supports
- supply and installation of shelter seating
The team meticulously removed old mortar and repaired cracking with a sympathetic lime-cement mix. Lintels were alkaline cleaned to remove dirt and contaminants, before rust removal was undertaken. The job was finished with epoxy primers and weather-durable finishes to provide long-lasting, reduced maintenance solutions for the exposed, high traffic infrastructure.
Outcomes
From the outset, the Summit Services team prioritised safety for both the local walkers and trail hikers as well as members of the project team.
By working in a highly collaborative manner, the construction team successfully and safely completed the project, on time and within budget, delivering on the council’s promise to provide safe, functioning visitor facilities assets.
The restoration of the shelter also represents an important step forward in Council’s future plans to restore walking tracks and retaining walls in the area for the safety of park users. The restored Pulpit Rock picnic shelter now provides a base for teams to work from while delivering the upcoming packages of works, and is fundamental in delivering greater accessibility to more sections of the National Park for visitors and locals alike.
