Collaroy storm: temporary seawall almost complete in front of damaged homes

A TEMPORARY seawall being put in place to prevent further damage to a row of Collaroy houses is nearing completion and residents have finalised a design for a permanent option.

Temporary works to shore up the houses at Collaroy ahead of potential storms. Picture: Supplied,

A TEMPORARY seawall being put in place to prevent further damage to a row of Collaroy houses is nearing completion.

The council and residents have spent the week putting the finishing touches to a large sandbag wall which could get its first test today.

Initial concerns were that another major storm event could hit this week.

Temporary works to shore up the houses at Collaroy ahead of possible storms.

While strong winds and potential rain are forecast, Bureau of Meteorology forecaster Edward Boyles said storms were more likely to hit the south coast of NSW.

“You will experience strong westerly winds, but not too much rainfall around the Sydney area,” Mr Boyles said.

While this has ­allowed residents to breathe a sigh of ­relief, Northern Beaches Council general manager Mark Ferguson said they were not taking any chances.

“Those works will be there to provide some protection to any east coast low that might arise,” he said.

Residents have finalised a design for a permanent seawall, and were in the process of submitting a development application.

Meanwhile, council administrator Dick Persson said he will unveil plans to roll out coastal zone management policy at Thursday night’s meeting.

It would set “what the figure for the taxpayer contribution will be for the cost of the wall”.

Mr Persson said the policy “sets out the council’s view of how it should deal with what is a complex public policy question”.