Coastal storm damage at Wamberal.

9 July 2025

 

ON Friday 4 July, Minister for Recovery Janelle Saffin signed off on coastal protection works to be undertaken by property landowners, under section 68 of the NSW Reconstruction Authority Act.

 

This followed Council submitting a proposed scope of works for The Entrance North on 13 June 2025 which was the necessary precondition for Minister Saffin to be able to authorise the protection works.

 

Minister Saffin authorised the works following consultation with relevant state agencies, and having previously signed a Reconstruction Area Order to erosion impacted properties in The Entrance North and at Wamberal in May following extensive consultation with Central Coast Council.

 

Minister for Recovery Janelle Saffin said: “The NSW Government is supporting Central Coast Council to protect communities in The Entrance North and Wamberal from coastal erosion.

 

“I am pleased to approve Council’s request and enable the people of The Entrance North to do what needs to be done to make their homes safe.

 

“I thank the Council through Mayor Cr Lawrie McKinna and local residents for their collaborative work with the NSW Government that enabled me to sign off this critical order. It is the first time such an order has been put in place to enable emergency coastal erosion works.

 

“These works represent a necessary interim measure to mitigate immediate risk to properties and infrastructure, and to maintain the safety of the public, while Coastal Management Programs and permanent works continue to be developed.”

 

Under the NSW Reconstruction Authority Act 2022, the Order enables ministerial powers to allow Central Coast Council to undertake temporary emergency coastal erosion protection works, bypassing the lengthy development application process.

 

The NSW Government is currently awaiting Council’s scope of works for Wamberal.

 

Central Coast Council has welcomed the confirmation of a Ministerial Authorisation for temporary coastal protection works to be undertaken by property owners at The Entrance North.

 

Central Coast Mayor, Lawrie McKinna said that this is a significant development for The Entrance North community, allowing property owners to act swiftly to protect their homes.

 

“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,” Mayor McKinna said.

 

“The Ministerial Authorisation means private property owners at The Entrance North can now legally undertake temporary emergency coastal protection works -  a crucial step given the escalating erosion risks in the area.

 

“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.

 

“I acknowledge the deep frustration and immense emotional toll felt by property owners impacted by the escalating threat of coastal erosion. It’s a complicated issue and up until now, there has been a limited pathway available for temporary emergency works.”

 

Minister for the Central Coast David Harris said: “I am pleased the NSW Government is able to help Central Coast Council and landowners move quickly to do what’s necessary to make their homes safer.

 

“We now eagerly await Council’s scope of works for Wamberal.

 

“While it is pleasing to see these temporary measures progressed, properly dealing with coastal erosion requires Council to develop its Coastal Management Programs (CMPs).

 

“CMPs identify coastal management issues, and the actions required to address these issues in a strategic and integrated way and we very much look forward to seeing Council’s new CMP.

 

Member for The Entrance David Mehan said: “Recent weather events have again highlighted that action is needed to help stem the tide of coastal erosion at The Entrance North and Wamberal.

 

“It’s great to see the NSW Government is enabling the necessary works to take place under the inaugural use of the Reconstruction Area Order.”

 

Central Coast Council CEO, David Farmer said this has been a complex issue, and Council thanks the NSW Government for their continued collaboration and support.

 

“This Ministerial Authorisation has been gained following two Extraordinary Meetings of Council in May, called to address the accelerating emergency impacting coastlines across the Central Coast," Mr Farmer said.

 

“Since then, the state government and Council staff have worked tirelessly with the aim to achieve the authorisation for protection works which will offer further protection for The Entrance North property owners. However, we now need to continue to work with the NSW Government and property owners to achieve a long-term solution.

 

“This authorisation and prescribed development consent pathways for a project of this scale can typically take years, and this authorisation provided through the NSW Reconstruction Act, has enabled authorisation in only a matter of weeks."

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