Sydney Storm: Residents told by council and engineers homes might have to go, with eviction orders possible

RESIDENTS at Collaroy may never be able to return to their homes, as Northern Beaches Council has declared they could be unsafe and that $20m worth of property may need demolition.

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UP TO $20 million worth of prime property which was smashed by the storm might need to be demolished and some residents may not be allowed back in to collect belongings.

Collaroy residents were told the devastating news by Northern Beaches Council bosses, as engineers confirmed that while some homes may have to be partially bulldozed, others could need to go all together.

One owner accused the council of “fiddling while Rome is burning.”

Northern Beaches Council general Manager Mark Ferguson speaking to the media regarding the homes affected by the storm waters at Collaroy. Picture: Jonathan Ng

Tony Cagorski, who lives at number 1130 Pittwater Rd said he was told by administrator, Dick Persson and manager Mark Ferguson at a meeting for owners, that he wouldn’t be living at his $2.4 million home again — and that it was even too dangerous to go back in to collect belongings.

“They’re going to give us eviction orders and knock the whole thing down. I don’t know how many probably two or three (homes).” he said. “It’s devastating news.”

Mr Cagorski, a floorer who only moved in a year ago, accused the council of looking at longer-term plans — and said a sea wall which was planned a decade ago but halted after protests should have happened.

“It’s a very helpless situation- it’s a long term thing ... they’re trying to save Ramsay St — do Ramsay St after. It’s like Rome is bloody burning and they’re fiddling. They’re not motivated.

“It’s not their baby, it can wait. It should be a bit more urgent than this.”

Tony Cagorski out the front of his house on Pittwater Road in Collaroy. Picture: Adam Yip

Meanwhile, neighbour Zaza Silk said she is confident her home can be restored.

Mrs Silk, whose mother’s ashes were swept away by the storm and who wept on TV as she saw the devastation, said the council is discussing putting in a sea wall partially funded by residents — something Planning Minister, MP Rob Stokes confirmed.

Zaza Silk pictured at Collaroy Beach looking north towards her property along the waterfront that has been affected by the recent storm. Picture: Braden Fastier

But residents could have to fork out up to $140,000 each to build a sea wall.

Mr Persson told the Manly Daily they met with about 30 residents who largely supported a scheme to help fund a sea wall.

“There was a lot of support for a resident contribution, there was wide acceptance Mr Persson said.

Tony Caeorski talks to the media after a meeting with residents affected by the East Coast Low along Sydney's Northern Beaches Coastal area around Collaroy, and Narrabeen. Picture: Braden Fastier

The total cost is unknown as design works have not yet started.

“They are talking about it taking months,’ said Mrs Silk. “We have to put a certain amount of money in each,” she said.

“Our house is looking good. I couldn’t see any cracks. When our house was built we had pylons which went down 15 feet ... so I am praying that we might be the lucky ones and keep our house.”

Aftermath of East Coast Low along Sydney's Northern Beaches Coastal area around Collaroy, and Narrabeen. Picture: Braden Fastier

Angus Gordon a consultant coastal engineer employed by the council said they were still in a “wait and see” phase, with another king tide expected last night.

“There have been none lost at this stage but there are a number that we are watching and monitoring very carefully,” he said.

“At this point in time I would say there would be a need to at least dismantle parts of some of those properties.”

“Others are certainly ones that we are having to look at very carefully a number of them are undermined and some of them have started to lose parts of the houses.”

Warringah Council group manager of natural environments Todd Dickinson (left) and consultant coastal engineer specialist Angus Gordon (right) inspect damaged beachfront homes along Pittwater Road at Collaroy. Picture: AAP Image/Dean Lewins

A seawall outside a block of apartments at 1150 Pittwater Rd has been sandbagged to prevent further erosion underneath the building when the seas return to high tide.

Meanwhile, it’s emerged residents may not be able to claim on insurance.

Friends help Laura and Tony Cagorski residents of 1130 Pittwater Road at Collaroy remove belongings. Picture Cameron Richardson

Most housing insurance policies don’t typically cover “actions of the sea”, said the Insurance Council of Australia’s Campbell Fuller.