The current weather has again highlighted the vulnerability of public and private property at Wamberal. Property and lives are at risk.
This is not just about protecting homes on the coastline. The hundreds of millions of dollars of public infrastructure along Ocean View Drive also needs to be protected.
Earlier today representatives from the NSW Government, Central Coast Council and the Wamberal community met on-site to survey the major damage. This group brings together the significant resources of the NSW Government to assist Central Coast Council put in place both immediate and long-term solutions to coastal erosion.
Council is the statutory authority for this location.
It is imperative that Council immediately place temporary structures like sandbags on Wamberal Beach. It is also imperative that Council engage personnel like geotechnical and coastal engineering experts that are needed to assist community members.
The NSW Government has committed to financially assist Council with these measures. NSW Government coastal engineers are currently working with Council staff, and the Minister for Local Government has instructed that any funding application be rapidly assessed.
In 2018 the NSW Government provided $207,500 for Council to develop plans for a long-term solution to the erosion issues at Wamberal, and we stand ready to assist Council further.
