WAMBERAL residents who were asked to leave their homes after the properties were considered high risk due to coastal erosion have been given two hours to collect their personal belongings.
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Central Coast Council said in a statement that affected residents would be allowed to access their properties from 12.30pm to 2.30pm on Monday, at which time the council will also be securing the properties with fencing and signage.
The council has closed Ocean View Drive to through traffic and expects the restrictions to be in place to around 4pm.
The Newcastle Herald has reported homes came under direct threat and some were badly damaged by whopper seas at Wamberal, on the Central Coast, over the weekend.
The council said public works engineers have been onsite since Thursday and undertaken an initial assessment of the damage, which has "determined the next protective actions by authorities which will be discussed directly with impacted residents today".
The move comes hours before an extraordinary council meeting, which Mayor Lisa Matthews called to "receive a thorough public update around the unfolding coastal crisis at Wamberal and The North Entrance". The meeting can be viewed online.
The council said it had worked overnight with the NSW State Emergency Service (SES) and other essential services leading the emergency recovery as part of the State Emergency Rescue Management Act.
The NSW SES is responsible under the Coastal Protection Act for advising the community and coordinating any evacuations required, but not controlling or conducting physical mitigation works.
"While strong winds and hazardous surf conditions have impacted the whole Coastline from Budgewoi right down to Pearl Beach, current areas of focus for emergency services are Wamberal, North Entrance, Terrigal and Avoca," the council statement said.
"We are supporting lead agencies in recovery assistance where needed.
"Our teams are monitoring our coastal infrastructure, beach access points, coastal lagoon levels and are on standby to assist with the removal of any fallen trees due to the winds."
An SES spokesperson said volunteers had been "on the ground doorknocking, advising residents to evacuate" over the weekend.
"Our volunteers have been and will continue to support Central Coast Council where it can."
The council has closed off all access ways that lead onto major erosion areas at North Entrance, Wamberal and other major beaches.
It has asked non-residents, non-essential visitors and sightseers to stay away from the area for their own and others' safety.
The council said welfare agencies have visited affected properties each day to assess any needs, including accommodation.
"Once impacted residents have had the opportunity to return to their homes, utilities including power, gas and water will be switched off to affected properties only within the next 48 hours to avoid further risk," the statement said.
The council said it had engaged coastal engineering consultancy Royal Haskoning DHV, who will "provide recommendations for recovery actions to mitigate further damage in the short term".
It said it engaged Manly Hydraulics Laboratory in May to "prepare concept plans for a terminal protection structure at Wamberal to assist residents in implementing a long-term solution".
"This is part funded by Council and the NSW Government through the Coast and Estuary Grants Program at a total cost of approximately $400,000.
"It will include workshops with residents and key stakeholders and this work is expected to be completed later in 2020."
It said it was also preparing Coastal Management Programs.