North Entrance Surf Life Saving Club remains without a plan or timeline for repairs to its damaged emergency access ramp, despite being among the original calls for urgent action on coastal erosion four months ago.
While temporary erosion works are starting to move forward at The Entrance North and Wamberal, the surf club – a vital community-owned facility sitting on Crown Land and managed by Central Coast Council – has been left in limbo, with no clear path forward.
“It’s a crucial community asset,” resident Paul Green said.
“It’s Winter now, but if this isn’t sorted soon, we’ll be back in peak season with the same problem.
“We need action, not more delays.”
Fellow resident Scott Laing is a long-time member of the club.
His father helped found the club in response to the need for stronger safety services at the northern end of the channel following high demand at The Entrance Beach and he says the issue goes far beyond inconvenience.
“The access ramp isn’t just for volunteers,” he said.
“It’s used to get emergency vehicles onto the sand and down to the channel, which is one of the most dangerous swimming spots on the entire Central Coast – and without it, lives could be at serious risk.”
Despite ongoing meetings with Central Coast Council and State Ministers, the club’s future remains uncertain, even as other erosion-hit sites begin to see some traction.
At The Entrance North, residents met with Council last week in an effort to resolve ongoing delays, following the recent approval of a scope of works by the NSW Reconstruction Authority.
Some of the red tape holding up progress was reportedly raised with Council months ago, well before the approval was granted.
“There have been a few hurdles we’ve needed to cross, and these were raised early on,” one resident said.
“We hope they can now be resolved to benefit all residents along the 250-metre stretch.”
Another local said there is now cautious optimism.
“It’s been an anxious time for us,” they said.
“We just want to protect our properties.
“It looks like we may finally be able to move forward, with the last hurdle addressed last week and updated documents expected shortly.”
Central Coast Council confirmed in a statement that property owners at The Entrance North have six months from the date of Ministerial Authorisation to commence physical works.
“Council issued draft plans for work to property owners at Wamberal on 30 June,” the statement read.
“Council is consulting with owners on the draft plans and working to have amended plans incorporating owner feedback where practicable by early next week.
“Council appreciates the diverse needs of owners at both locations and is working with owners and their technical representatives to find solutions that address their unique needs and preferences.”
Meanwhile, Wamberal residents are becoming frustrated at the lack of action and say the Reconstruction Authority is not fulfilling its legal obligation to negate risk by making the beach safe so it can be reopened.
Impacted residents say the response remains limited and serious safety issues further north along the beach have not been addressed in the scope of works that are yet to be put forward to the Reconstruction Authority (RA) for approval.
“The works are minor and limited – and there remains a serious public safety risk which still hasn’t been fixed,” one resident said.
With warmer weather around the corner and beach usage set to rise, residents say the delays can no longer be justified.
“Just because the swell and bad weather has gone away – it doesn’t mean the emergency and risk isn’t still there,” one said.
“We are one bad storm away from being back in the same situation.”
Minister Janelle Saffin and the NSW Reconstruction Authority were contacted for comment, but no response was received by the time of publication.
Skaie Hull
