The massive sinkhole that suddenly emerged to swallow a caravan, 4WD and a camper trailer at a popular Queensland campsite is apparently still growing … and there are concerns for the long-term future of the entire area.
It is estimated that up to 200 metres of beach at Inskip Point near Rainbow Beach has disappeared, and engineers with ground-penetrating radar have moved in to determine exactly what caused the near disaster.
No one was injured as the drama unfolded on Saturday night, but several hundred campers had to be evacuated from the MV Beagle campsite amid chaotic scenes.
Six other campgrounds nearby still remain open but geotechnical engineer Allison Golsby is warning that the entire peninsula could eventually fall away.
“People have said that at some stage they think Inskip Point may not be there,” she told ABC radio. “Now that could be thousands of years, it could be hundreds of years.”
Ms Golsby said the area had a history of sinkholes and should be closely monitored.
“The ideal answer is to monitor because then we keep everybody in the right place and they won’t be put in a position like that,” she told ABC radio. “Anywhere people go that’s a natural park or a natural environment, people need to be aware that slips can occur, slumps can occur, and sinkholes can occur,” she said.
Campers have described the frightening speed with which the ground opened up, accompanied by a terrifying roar.
Ms Golsby said that people visiting natural environments need to be aware that slips, slumps and sinkholes can occur.
“Sinkholes do occur naturally around Australia for different reasons,” she said. “People need to make themselves aware of what the natural rock and soil behaviour is where they stay so they can enjoy the environment, have a wonderful time and a safe time, and save our emergency services some trouble.”
* Do you study the geology of the campsite before you unhitch your van? Has this latest sinkhole put you off future camping stops at Inskip Point. Comment below.
