Collaroy seawall: How much will you pay?

THE  public will pay up to 20 cents in the dollar to build seawalls on the peninsula.

The Collaroy beachfront dissapeared taking with it property's and possessions. Picture: John Grainger.

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THE  public will pay up to 20 cents in the dollar to build seawalls on the peninsula.

But it is not known if residents of the Collaroy strip will receive any more assistance under the draft coastal erosion policy passed last Thursday.

Northern Beaches Council general manager Mark Ferguson said they may already be past the council’s proposed contribution under the policy.

“Council has been undertaking significant works between Stuart and Ramsay streets in support of both public asset protection and also in assisting private property owners as they undertook emergency repairs,” Mr Ferguson said.

“The financial analysis of these works is not yet complete but it may be the case that the funds spent by council to date have reached the funding cap.”

Flood damage from the air as a result of the low pressure system that hammered Collaroy. Picture: Toby Zerna.

NSW residents will face another weekend of heavy rain and damaging winds as a low pressure system is due to hit the east coast again. Picture: Toby Zerna

The spokesman for the 10 homeowners, Garry Silk, said: “Some of the residents are a little bit disappointed with the degree of subsidy from the state.“It doesn’t seem as though they have attached much importance to Pittwater Rd We had hoped for more.”

The final cost of their seawall is not known because it is still in the design process.

The draft policy’s first test will be in Narrabeen, just north of the worst-affected area.
A group of residents led by NRL legend Bob Fulton have designed a seawall.

The council could chip in $1.65 million while lobbying the State Government to do the same for the 1.1km wall.

The entire cost is expected to be about $22 million.

The council’s administrator Dick Persson said it had “recognition of the public asset protection” the private properties provided. Another $5.5 million would be spent by the council to protect its own public assets on that strip.

The policy states the council would contribute a maximum of 10 per cent only if it is matched by State or Federal Governments.

NRL legend Bob Fulton at a public meeting about the Seawall at Collaroy. Picture: Dave Swift.

Mr Persson stressed there was a need to continue consistent beach nourishment to ensure the recreational use of peninsula beaches.

It would require dredging of 1.3 million cubic metres of sand in the next 10 years, costing $30 million. Another $12 million would be needed each decade afterwards.

“Works of this scale are simply unaffordable ... and the responsibility for delivery of offshore sands must be shared with benefiting councils and also with State and Federal Government(s),” the report said.

The policy gives the council power to set design standards for the walls and ensure they are consistent across the peninsula.

The council appears to have relieved itself of most of the financial responsibility.

It places the cost of almost everything on private landowners and says “any contribution by the council will be at its absolute discretion”.

The draft policy will be open for submissions until August 4.