Council staff recommended the closure of the Danjera Dam campsite due to a number of incidents that caused damage.

There has been firearm misuse, illegal trail bike riding and group 4WD activities, vandalism and misuse of facilities, unsafe behaviour involving vehicles and alcohol leading to serious injuries, and threats to campers and the adjoining landowner.

“We’ve had rangers present, police present, but we can’t be out there 24/7,” Shoalhaven Water director Carmel Krogh said.

Attempts to transform the site into a paid-for camping area failed, as the area is surrounded by critically endangered species, and land can’t be cleared to create a safe bush fire escape route.

Council will remediate the site, and reopen it for day use only around June 2018.