Wamberal Beach erosion: former top cop called in to take charge
An extraordinary meeting to discuss erosion in Wamberal and North Entrance saw council reluctant to give residents powers to do their own works, however they are calling for the coast to be declared a ‘state of emergency’.
Central Coast
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A respected former Assistant Police Commissioner will take charge of co-ordinating the Wamberal Beach recovery operation amid local anger over council inaction.
Lee Shearer, who was yesterday appointed as Local Recovery Coordinator, will work with the emergency operations controller “to protect lives, minimise damage to properties and clean up the beach,” Terrigal state Liberal MP Adam Crouch said.
Ms Shearer will be tasked with identifying erosion issues at the beach, and co-ordinating consultation with people involved in the recovery.
The danger is far from over and evacuated residents will be watching on nervously tonight with high tide to peak at 1.9m before 9pm. There are also three to four foot southerly swells expected to continue into tomorrow.
Mr Shearer’s appointment comes after furious locals slammed the Central Coast Council for failing to put in place measures to prevent erosion at the beach.
“Following the community meeting on Sunday, it’s clear that local residents have no faith in Central Coast Council to prioritise their needs,” Mr Crouch said.
Emergency Services Minister David Elliott said: “Ms Shearer’s appointment will ensure recovery is effectively co-ordinated and prioritised. Ms Shearer will provide excellent support to the local Central Coast community, bringing local knowledge and an established local network with her to the role.”
The unfolding erosion disaster yesterday came as the Central Coast Council, which voted unanimously to call on the State Government to declare a ‘state of emergency’ across the region.
High tides have caused homes to partly crumble into the ocean at Wamberal, while North Entrance has also been affected by major erosion.
The council acknowledged anger and frustration in the community and indicated safety was its number one priority with a commitment to continue to assist residents and plan for a long-term solution at Wamberal.
“There is a lot of anger and concern and we need to acknowledge that,” chief executive officer Gary Murphy said. “We can’t shy away from that.”
Mayor Lisa Matthews said “the absolute priority is the safety and wellbeing of residents and the surrounding community”.
The council will allow residents to take out certain emergency works to protect their properties as long as the work doesn’t impact other properties.
Residents of 18 evacuated homes were given a two hour window on both Sunday and Monday to remove their belongings from homes too dangerous to enter. They will not be allowed back into their homes for at least four weeks while assessments are carried out.
The state government gave the council more than $200,000 to develop plans for a long-term solution to erosion at Wamberal.
The council said it engaged Manly Hydraulics Laboratory in May to prepare concept plans for a “terminal protection structure at Wamberal”.
The council’s environment and planning director Scott Cox said the design consultant for the revetment wall was planning to meet with residents in August.