Terrigal Skillion cliff collapse: People warned to stay away

Warnings to stay away remain in place around the base of Terrigal Skillion after yesterday’s cliff collapse, but a Central Coast drone operator has revealed the damage from above.

The Terrigal Skillion rock fall in the circled area. Picture: Reed Plummer, Central Coast Drones.

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Central Coast drone photographer Reed Plummer has snapped an aerial shot of the rock slide at Terrigal Skillion that has temporarily closed the rock platform.

Council warnings to avoid the area remain in place for the time being after tonnes of rock collapsed from the cliff face yesterday aroudn 3pm.

Council hopes to release a statement about the ongoing safety of the area tomorrow.

The location is one of the most photographed on the Central Coast, popular with Instagrammers, walkers, and anglers.

The Central Coast Drones image shows boulders and other debri blocking a common route onto and around the rock platform,

Council staff at the base of Terrigal Skillion where tonnes or rock collapsed yesterday. Picture: Cathy Stubbs.

A Central Coast Council statement issued last night said acess to the rock platform had been temporarily restricted.

“Members of the public alerted Council staff that a small amount of rocks had fallen from the rock face,” the spokeswoman said.

“Rock falls of this nature occur naturally from time to time as a result of weather and wave action.

“Council is restricting access to the rock platform until such time as it can access the area, investigate and make the area safe.

“Walking on or around this rock platform can be dangerous and the community should stay away from the area until further notice.”

Council stand near a huge pile of fallen rock. Picture: Cathy Stubbs.

One unconfirmed report said the rock fell just meters from where people were standing.

The Skillion is well known in geological circles as an impressive example of a number of geological processes.

The sedimentary rock forming The Skillion (known as the Terrigal Formation) was laid down in the Middle Triassic and is overlain by Hawkesbury sandstone.

The Skillion will continue to change as waves constantly erode the cliff face. Picture: Peter Clark

According to the website, Geological Sites of NSW, Terrigal Skillion is interesting as the surface facing the south has weathered in a different form to the easterly face which exhibits a sheer drop.

The unstable nature of the site is likely continue as waves slowly erode and undermine the cliff.