Council asks for patience on Cataract Walk closure

Published on 14 July 2023

Launceston's popular Cataract Walk recreational trail may be closed to the public for several months, following the failure of a privately-owned retaining wall at a property on South Esk Road last week.

The retaining wall is built on steep terrain above the 1km-long walking track which links Kings Bridge with the Cataract Gorge's Cliff Grounds.

Further movement of the retaining wall could pose a risk to the track infrastructure below.

Both the Cataract Walk and Trevallyn Steps track, between South Esk Road and Kings Bridge, have been closed to the public as a result of the retaining wall failure.

Throughout this week the City of Launceston has worked with engineering experts and the property owners to assess the potential impacts of the failed retaining wall.

Over coming weeks, the Council will undertake a number of works with the goal of opening the Cataract Walk to the public as soon as practicable.

City of Launceston Mayor Matthew Garwood said the Council understood the popularity of the Cataract Walk.

"Our priority at all times is the safety of our community," Mayor Garwood said.

"We know the Cataract Walk is a very popular recreational trail and our goal is to re-open it to the public as soon as humanly possible.

"However, there is more work we need to undertake over coming weeks to understand ground movement in the vicinity of the Cataract Walk and Trevallyn Steps as a result of the retaining wall failure.

"We'll then be able to look at the works required to re-open the tracks.

"Given the extremely difficult terrain, and the moisture levels currently in the ground, repair works may be complex and may take several months to complete.

"We want to be transparent with the community that the tracks may remain closed for some months to come, but that we will do everything we can to re-open them safely and quickly.

"We ask for the community's patience as we go about this work, and will continue to provide updates to keep people informed."

All other walking tracks in the Cataract Gorge remain open to the public, including the Zig Zag track between Kings Bridge and the First Basin.