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Newcastle Herald
Newcastle Herald
Lucinda Garbutt-Young

Damage to Newcastle beaches after fierce weather

The extent of damage at Bar Beach is still being assessed. Picture by Simone De Peak

HUNTER beaches have been battered by days of large swell and the weather bureau warns more could be on the way.


Rocks were exposed at Bar Beach on Tuesday and Cooks Hills Surf Living Saving Club had some minor damage to doors and some old stairs, which detached from the clubhouse.


A spokesperson said the building's interior was safe and not damaged.

The weather bureau issued another hazardous surf warning for Wednesday, with the possibility of erosion in low-lying areas, including parts of the Hunter coast.

Cooks Hill Surf Living Saving clubhouse had previously damaged stairs. They were broken off entirely in last night's conditions.
Cooks Hill Surf Living Saving clubhouse sustained significant damage, including to its doors.

University of Newcastle Associate Professor Iftekhar Ahmed researches disaster management. He said the stretch from Bar Beach to Merewether Beach is particularly vulnerable to erosion because there is no natural bedrock to protect it.

Coastal erosion at Bar Beach

Rocks can be damaged by 'scouring', which occurs under the surface and weakens their structural integrity. Associate Professor Ahmed said if erosion at Bar Beach continues, areas as far up as Memorial Drive could be impacted.

"Bar Beach is just a sandy stretch with turfing on top," he said. "It is getting undermined from below."

The beach's rocks have been exposed in heavy rains and wind across the last decade, including in 2013 and last year.

Newcastle City Council continues to work on a coastal management plan to protect the shoreline between Nobby's and Burwood beaches.

Stockton Beach also sustained damage in the wild weather. The Newcastle Herald believe erosion begins roughly 4 kilometres from Stockton's usual problem spots and is away from houses.

Picture by Peter Lorimer

Cargo ships were escorted by tugs from the port back to open seas, travelling through rough swell and winds on Tuesday morning.

More to come.

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