"A Very Bad Precedent"
Prof Andy Short says we’re about to destroy a famous beach to save houses. Is this a trend?
South Narrabeen on fire last winter. Photo: Matt Dunbar
Sean Doherty
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After decades of debate, delay, buck-passing, protest, counter-protest, kicking the can down the road and swimming pools falling into the sea, construction work is underway on a 1.3km section of seawall between Collaroy and South Narrabeen on Sydney’s northern beaches.
There’ll be no planned retreat from the rising ocean. They’re digging in.
The issue is perfectly vexed. Private houses, public beach… and you can only save one. While the wall provides protection for the 49 private and 11 public properties behind the wall, the beach in front of the wall is now on borrowed time.