Collaroy residents finally hope for action after storm two years ago

Residents of the Collaroy beachfront that was severely undermined in June 2016 will have an emergency meeting with Lands Minister Paul Toole in a bid to get a seawall.

Stabilisation works along storm-damaged Collaroy Beach on Sydney's Northern Beaches after the storms of 2016. Picture: Troy Snook

RESIDENTS of the Collaroy beachfront that was severely undermined in June 2016 will have an emergency meeting with Lands Minister Paul Toole in a bid to get a seawall.

Wakehurst state MP Brad Hazzard said he had pushed for the meeting after almost two years of inaction.

Storm damage along Collaroy Beach on Sydney's Northern Beaches. Picture: Troy Snook

“I have expressed my frustration and anger on behalf of the residents to the minister and asked for a meeting with him, so, next Tuesday, Minister Toole is now meeting with his officials, Mayor Michael Regan and Garry Silk, a representative for the residents.”

He said it would be an opportunity for residents “to vent their concerns over the delays and lack of certainty about the outcomes”.

The famous pool which was dislodged in the huge storm. Picture: John Grainger

“I don’t have any doubt at all there was a practical understanding that a seawall needed to be built, there was a formula of how that would be done almost within months of the storm,” Mr Hazzard said.

“Then-premier (Mike) Baird was at the forefront. He was on the site during the night filling sandbags.

“But the bureaucracy has managed to achieve not getting done what everyone knows practically should have been done.”