Locals warn of large rocks associated with construction

Surfrider Foundation Australia’s Northern Beaches representative Brendan Donohoe said residents had been warning for more than a year that the rocks were still dangerous.

Material was washed from the temporary structure installed during the construction of the wall.

“Those rocks are still there. Some of them had reinforcing metal strips running through them,” he said. “It’s a sandy beach with rocks the size of car boots rolling in the surf zone for years to come.”

Donohoe said Collaroy residents captured GoPro footage last year that showed how far offshore the rock had moved.

In a letter dated February 2022, the Northern Beaches Council told Donohoe that it would remove debris and “sift” the sand on the beach to remove rocks when it is safe to do so after construction.

In response to inquiries from Heralda council spokesperson denied there were still rocks from the seawall construction causing problems at Collaroy Beach.

A spokesperson said a private contractor had removed more rocks in July and the signs were from that time.

Donohoe, a Collaroy resident who regularly walks the beach, first noticed the signs a few days ago.

The sign was displayed in excellent condition given the heavy rains and storms that have hit Sydney and northern beaches over the past six months.

A council spokesperson said, “We use very durable corflute signage.”

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“In July 2022, private contractors returned at the request of the council to remove rocks from the exposed foreshore following erosion events,” a spokesperson said. “The signs in question at Collaroy were erected in mid-2022 during construction work to ensure the safety of the area. They were left in place as an extra precaution for public access. ‘s old signs may have caused confusion as to whether the beach was open and removed.”

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