The NSW Government has authorised temporary coastal protection works at The Entrance North, allowing private property owners to begin installing urgent erosion controls at their own cost and on their own land — while Wamberal residents continue to wait for the same approvals.
It comes after evacuation orders issued for both areas last week were revoked, offering brief relief amid ongoing uncertainty.
The Ministerial authorisation, granted under Section 68 of the NSW Reconstruction Authority Act 2022, enables property owners at The Entrance North to undertake temporary protection measures without the need for a full development application.
The decision follows Central Coast Council’s submission of a scope of works for the site last month – a key requirement under the Act since The Entrance North and Wamberal were declared Reconstruction Areas in May.
Minister for Recovery Janelle Saffin said she was pleased to approve Council’s request to allow residents to take immediate steps to protect their properties.
“The NSW Government is supporting Central Coast Council to protect communities in The Entrance North and Wamberal from coastal erosion,” Saffin said.
“These works represent a necessary interim measure to mitigate immediate risk to properties and infrastructure while longer-term Coastal Management Programs continue to be developed.”
Minister for the Central Coast and Member for Wyong David Harris said the recent extreme weather again highlighted the urgent need for action.
“Last week’s weather event again highlighted that action is needed to help stem the tide of coastal erosion at The Entrance North and Wamberal,” he said.
“It’s pleasing to see these temporary measures progressed and we now eagerly await Council’s scope of works for Wamberal.”
Central Coast Mayor Lawrie McKinna said the authorisation was a crucial development.
“Since the declaration of the Reconstruction Area in May, Council has collaborated with the NSW Government and private property owners to develop a scope of work for a temporary emergency coastal protection – which has now received Ministerial approval,” he said.
“This authorisation will allow much-needed protection for properties at The Entrance North, and importantly also provide time while owners pursue the design and approval of a permanent solution.”
Council CEO David Farmer said the decision followed two Extraordinary Council Meetings in May and thanked the NSW Government for its support.
“Typically, a project of this scale could take years to progress through normal development channels,” he said.
“Thanks to the NSW Reconstruction Act, this has been achieved in just weeks – however, we now need to continue to work with the NSW Government and property owners to achieve a long-term solution.”
Residents at The Entrance North have welcomed the approval but remain cautious.
“It’s such a relief that the recent high tides and swells have passed for now without more significant damage to properties or people,” one resident said.
“We are grateful and cautiously optimistic with the RA approval of the emergency works, however, there are still many hoops to jump through before the works can commence.”
Another resident said the final version of plans and documentation from Council were yet to be received.
“The drafts leave several important questions unanswered,” he said.
Meanwhile, over at Wamberal, Council has completed emergency works on three properties under authorisation from the Local Emergency Operations Controller (LEOCON).
The temporary measures included the placement of rock bags and sand nourishment to stabilise three exposed properties.
However, the broader authorisation for temporary protection works is still pending, as Council is yet to submit the required scope of works to the NSW Government.
Wamberal residents, already managing the emotional and financial strain of living on a rapidly eroding coastline, say they feel left behind.
“It’s disheartening to watch more sand and dunes disappear while we wait,” one resident said.
“We appreciate that The Entrance North got the sign-off, but Wamberal’s situation has become critical too – we need action, not more meetings and drafts.”
More than 70 properties have been identified as severely at risk in Council’s draft Coastal Management Program (CMP) yet the current temporary emergency scope only applies to a small number of properties.
Residents across both coastal communities hope it is a sign of faster action to come before the next storm arrives.
Council’s Draft CMP will go on public exhibition on July 14, with community submissions wrapping up on August 25.
Skaie Hull
