Homes evacuated after land slip beneath Bayview building

Multiple homes have been evacuated in Bayview after a land slip, and beachside Collaroy residents are crossing their fingers as erosion threatens their homes and yards, as Sydney’s northern beaches get lashed by big winds, rains and tides.

Kids having fun in the wild conditions at Mona Vale. Picture: John Grainger

Multiple homes have been evacuated on Sydney’s northern beaches after land gave way beneath a building amid wild weather today.

Emergency crews were called to a two-storey building in Bayview about 3pm following reports of a “land slip”.

It comes as nearby Mona Vale was also buffeted by fierce winds and heavy rains, with water in drains being blown upwards and cars and pedestrians battling through a cover of water on the roads and parklands.

Wind blowing water up out of drains at Mona Vale. Picture: John Grainger

Water is blown over a car on Surfview Rd, Mona Vale. Picture: John Grainger

Narrabeen Lagoon. Picture: John Grainger

No one was injured in the Bay View “land slip” but multiple properties were evacuated on Kookaburra Close, NSW Police said.

The Daily Telegraph understands the land gave way beneath the building, leaving the footings exposed.

Road closures remain in place around the area.

A hiker battles the conditions in Mona Vale. Picture: John Grainger

Narrabeen Lagoon and the caravan park. Picture: John Grainger

Meanwhile beachfront Collaroy residents were on Sunday night crossing their fingers as strong winds, a high tide and an 8m swell combined to threaten a repeat of 2016 storms which eroded the beach and decimated their homes.

“This will be the test tonight,” resident Garry Silk told The Daily Telegraph

“There is a high tide tonight at 9.45pm … (it) is the one we will have to watch.”

He said the construction of a sea wall for residents along the exclusive stretch of sand had been delayed government red tape and discussion over who would pay for it.

The homes on Collaroy Beach are vulnerable to erosion. Picture: John Grainger

The homes on Collaroy Beach are vulnerable to erosion. Picture: John Grainger

The council has built a sea wall along a 400m stretch of land where there are council car parks but residents had to fork out about $200,000 each to build their section of the sea wall.

“Four (development approvals) have been issued by the council to private owners but none of us have got on with it yet for a variety of reasons,” Mr Silk said.

“We still have some red tape we’re trying to sort out with the government.”

He said despite it being one of Sydney’s most exclusive addresses, some residents were asset rich but cash poor and simply did not have a spare $200,000 lying around.

Originally published as Homes evacuated after land slip beneath Bayview building