Minister Paul Scully and Lord Mayor Tania Brown announced the start of work for Stage 2 of the North Wollongong Beach seawall project. Photo: Keeli Dyson.
Construction has started on the final section of the new seawall at North Wollongong Beach, with the structure set to future-proof and protect the foreshore while increasing accessibility and usability so more can enjoy the beloved coastal area.
The ageing crib wall which connects the surf club to the pavilion at North Wollongong Beach is getting an upgrade, with year-long works now underway to construct the second stage of the seawall.
“We will be replacing the seawall here right around to the pavilion behind me, extending the Emma McKeon steps and promenade and making sure this asset is protected well into the future,” Wollongong Lord Mayor Tania Brown said.
“This is a big project for Wollongong Council, one that we’re determined to deliver as quick as we can, but obviously it comes with its challenges – any time you work with the ocean and the environment that makes construction sites complex.”
In addition to bringing a modernised look to the popular beach, the structure will create vital reinforcement against coastal elements and protect the new pedestrian spaces being established, as well as the restaurants and cafes that overlook the beach.
“We saw in recent weeks how high the swells came up to the steps at the Emma McKeon promenade, so we know that the ocean can cause a lot of damage here so we want to protect those assets, protect those cafes and restaurants,” Cr Brown said.
While the Blue Mile and many pedestrian paths remain open behind the beach, the site of Diggies and North Beach Kiosk is closed for coinciding work.
The kiosk building will undergo maintenance and external repairs including brick repointing, repairs to the awning extension, and improvements to site drainage and weatherproofing of the building.
Artist impression of the completed seawall connected to Stage 1 which was completed in 2024. Photo: Wollongong City Council.
The pavilion building will also receive some minor structural repairs and cleaning of the external facades.
“Those buildings are nearly 100 years old, so there’s some essential works that need to happen on that,” Cr Brown said.
The project has pushed ahead with a $3.9 million funding boost from the NSW Government to complete works, and while Wollongong MP and Planning Minister Paul Scully was pleased to see work underway, he acknowledged there could be more need to address coastal inundation and erosion across the region in coming years.
“This is an important beach for the Illawarra and this work will be important to make sure that the assets that are so beloved by our community and by visitors remain for a long time into the future,” Mr Scully said.
“We’ve got plenty of coastline in the Wollongong Local Government Area, there’s 60-odd kilometres, so I’m sure if it’s not here council will have some other areas to look at.
“We know that other parts of the local government area and other parts of the Illawarra are being impacted by coastal erosion and I continue to work with council on shaping up plans for that.”
Work at North Wollongong Beach is expected to continue until mid-2027, but the beach will still remain open, with patrolling year-round, with the community urged to still use the space as one of the safest ways to enjoy the ocean.
“It is full access to North Beach,” Cr Brown said.
“There are a couple of ramps and obviously the steps of the promenade you’ll be able to use and lifeguards on duty every day.
“Having a patrolled location at any stage of the year is important, I think it just offers some security to the community,” Wollongong Council Beach Services Operation Manager Murray Cobas said.
“Swimming at a patrolled location, between the flags when they’re there is the main message we always push out there, so having that location is still important whether construction is on or off.”
