21-year-old Sydney woman, Annika Ferry, had hiked to Blue Fish Point, a scenic coastal spot overlooking Manly with her best friend. Just moments later, she would be dead. 7NEWS
“The only perceived risk is that of potential collapse of the ruins due to visitation,” Davies wrote of the health and safety risks associated with the North Head sites.
Before Annika’s death in 2020, there had been no deaths or injuries recorded at any of the disused military structures around Sydney, a National Parks and Wildlife Service spokesperson told 7NEWS.com.au.During World War II, bunkers were erected along Australia’s coast to defend against foreign threats.
At the time, he recommended that the NPWS make it a high priority to prevent unsafe access to sites, remove health and safety risks identified in the report, and undertake urgent stabilisation works where there was a risk of collapse. “All of these factors mean that even though we think of these heavy duty concrete bunkers as being eternal, they’re actually reasonably fragile,” Hobbins said.“They’re certainly often fun to go in and explore and imagine what it was like to be in there during wartime... but some of them, I’m very aware, are dangerous.
“Management of these sites includes asbestos removal, scaling spalling concrete and other loose elements, drainage and closure of tunnels with sand to prevent access, and installation of balustrades and handrails.” It was also painted white covered in flowers by Annika’s friends and family. A plaque paying tribute to Annika was also airlifted into the site and sits in front of the structure, overlooking the ocean.