Collaroy residents evacuated from their homes move back in eight weeks after superstorm

OWNERS of eight of the 10 houses almost swallowed by the sea at Collaroy have been allowed to go home.

Zaza Silk has moved back into her Collaroy home after being hit by the storms last month. Picture: Braden Fastier.

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OWNERS of eight of the 10 houses almost swallowed by the sea at Collaroy have been allowed to go home.

Temporary sewerage pipes have been laid at all properties but the two at the southernmost point.

The final two properties will need structural repairs before their owners can move back in.

Zaza and Garry Silk were among the first Pittwater Rd residents to move back in on Thursday.

Yesterday, Mrs Silk gave the Manly Daily the first glimpse inside their property.

The Collaroy beachfront disappeared, taking with it property and possessions. Picture: John Grainger.

“I am still sort of living out of my suitcases. I haven’t unpacked yet,” Mrs Silk said.

Despite the horror eight weeks they have experienced, Mrs Silk said they were planning on staying in the house.

“It sounds crazy, but there is no way I want to move anywhere else,” she said.

Properties on the Collaroy Beach between Stuart, and Ramsay Streets while drainage was repaired. Picture: Braden Fastier

Mr Silk described their first morning back home as “magical yet surreal”.

The Silks’ house is one of only two houses left with upstairs balconies.

Collaroy Beach pictured from the sky after the June storms. Picture: Sam Ruttyn.

Mr Silk said there was “still a long way to go”.

“The bills for the work to date are starting to flow in, and the hard work of getting a DA, raising the funds for the permanent rock revetment, and re-establishing the gardens and sand dunes is just starting,” he said.

Zaza Silk has moved back into her Collaroy home after being hit by the storms last month. Picture: Braden Fastier.

Mr Silk said from the grief of almost losing their home came some positives.

“We are a community. Instead of a row of time-poor urbanites, we now know our neighbours — not just the immediate 10, but up and down the strip,” he said.