The beach at Wamberal was vulnerable to erosion long before the homes, the homeowners, and even before their ancestors first turned up. The worst storm since 1974 saw monster waves combine with the year’s highest tide to cause devastation to Terrigal businesses and infrastructure whilst homes along Wamberal Beach narrowly escaped serious damage. In a Facebook post, Terrigal Fire and Rescue said the homes were at "significant risk of structural collapse due to beach erosion." With images and video from the Newcastle Herald. Four years later in June 1978, beach and dune erosion attributed to an intense rip cell undermined and destroyed two houses at Wamberal (Plate 1). Terrigal Lagoon sits directly behind Wamberal Beach and currently drains into the sea just to the south of the slipping houses. Crouch said Wamberal Beach had a long history of impacts from coastal erosion events. The big swells that have pounded the New South Wales coast this week have caused a lot of damage. While strong winds and hazardous surf conditions have impacted the whole Coastline from Budgewoi right down to Pearl Beach… Asbestos and other building waste has been unearthed along Wamberal beach following severe erosion. “The grant will be used to help decide the most effective potential works to protect against the impacts of future erosion,” he said. For further updates about coastal erosion and ongoing work at Wamberal and North Entrance Beaches, click here. Wamberal Beach has a recent history of property and beach damage as a result of severe storms. “It means Council will be able to obtain the evidence required to plan, investigate and design future works. “This … Two homes fell into the sea at Wamberal in 1978 during big seas, as this image shows. Following days of powerful surf barrelling towards beach-front properties, severe beach erosion is occurring at Wamberal. Council has started emergency works to stablilise the escarpment at Wamberal Beach which will include craning rock filled bags on to the beach.. Wamberal is famous for its Wambie Whopper hamburgers at a takeaway shop not far from the beach. Extensive beach erosion occurred in May 1974 and many houses were threatened. Wamberal Beach Erosion. Coastal erosion is a way of life in Wamberal, north of Sydney. history of wamberal woes 1974: Waves crash through beachfront houses, forcing residents to flee 1978: Two houses at the southern end of Wamberal beach collapse into the ocean Houses along Wamberal Beach on the NSW Central Coast have been hammered by huge swells, eroding the cliffs and taking stairs and balconies into the ocean. 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