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NSW court approves $3 million seawall for The Entrance North beachfront
The New South Wales Land and Environment Court, led by Commissioner Joanne Gray, ruled that private owners may build a permanent 90‑metre seawall at The Entrance North on the Central Coast. The structure, costing about $3 million, is designed to protect three beachfront apartment blocks and dozens of strata units on Hutton Road.
The decision overturns Central Coast Council’s earlier refusal, which had cited concerns about visual amenity and scenic qualities. The site had been declared a reconstruction area under the Reconstruction Authority Act in May 2025, allowing emergency sand and rock works after severe storms that year. More than 100 public submissions from residents, surfers and environmental groups were recorded during the hearing.
Officials noted that the seawall may set a precedent for waterfront property owners across NSW. A separate $17 million seawall proposal at nearby Wamberal Beach was rejected after 637 submissions, highlighting ongoing community debate over coastal protection versus environmental impact.
Entities
Central Coast Council · Commissioner Joanne Gray · Hutton Road · Joanne Gray · Land and Environment Court · Land and Environment Court of New South Wales · The Entrance North · The Entrance, New South Wales
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 3 SOURCES] The court found that rock revetments were unsuitable and there was no sufficient sand nourishment strategy to protect private property. www.newcastleherald.com.au · www.dungogchronicle.com.au · www.gloucesteradvocate.com.au
- [● 3 SOURCES] The Land and Environment Court of New South Wales ruled in favour of private homeowners allowing them to build protective seawalls. www.newcastleherald.com.au · www.dungogchronicle.com.au · www.gloucesteradvocate.com.au
- [● 3 SOURCES] The ruling could set a precedent for waterfront property owners throughout New South Wales. www.newcastleherald.com.au · www.dungogchronicle.com.au · www.gloucesteradvocate.com.au
- [● 3 SOURCES] Commissioner Joanne Gray said the coast's amenity was already degraded and that a seawall was an acceptable solution. www.newcastleherald.com.au · www.dungogchronicle.com.au · www.gloucesteradvocate.com.au
- [● 3 SOURCES] The site was declared a reconstruction area under the Reconstruction Authority Act in May 2025, allowing temporary emergency protection works. www.newcastleherald.com.au · www.dungogchronicle.com.au · www.gloucesteradvocate.com.au
- [● 3 SOURCES] The owners are three residential flat buildings located at 1 to 13 Hutton Road, The Entrance, Central Coast. www.newcastleherald.com.au · www.dungogchronicle.com.au · www.gloucesteradvocate.com.au
- [● 3 SOURCES] Central Coast Council had previously refused the seawall application, citing public interest in visual amenity and scenic qualities. www.newcastleherald.com.au · www.dungogchronicle.com.au · www.gloucesteradvocate.com.au
- [● 3 SOURCES] The owners applied to build permanent coastal protection works after extreme weather events in 2020. www.newcastleherald.com.au · www.dungogchronicle.com.au · www.gloucesteradvocate.com.au
- [● 3 SOURCES] Commissioner Joanne Gray said the coast's amenity was already degraded and past lack of controls left residential development exposed to hazards. www.newcastleherald.com.au · www.dungogchronicle.com.au · www.gloucesteradvocate.com.au
- [● 3 SOURCES] The Land and Environment Court ruled that private owners may build permanent seawalls at The Entrance. www.newcastleherald.com.au · www.dungogchronicle.com.au · www.gloucesteradvocate.com.au
- [● 3 SOURCES] Central Coast Council refused the request, citing public interest in visual amenity and scenic qualities. www.newcastleherald.com.au · www.dungogchronicle.com.au · www.gloucesteradvocate.com.au
- [● 3 SOURCES] The site was declared a reconstruction area under the Reconstruction Authority Act in May 2025. www.newcastleherald.com.au · www.dungogchronicle.com.au · www.gloucesteradvocate.com.au