Coffs Council fast-tracks work to restore access to Murrays Beach

CITY of Coffs Harbour is fast-tracking work to reinstate the stairs to Murrays Beach, following a period of prolonged coastal erosion.

At its meeting on 29 January, Council resolved to advance a budget of $50,000 from its capital works program, to survey and design the beach access.

“While there are alternative access points to Murrays, they are some distance away, so it’s good to crack on with this project to reinstate this beach entry point,” Mayor Nikki Williams said.

The stairs at Sawtell were closed for emergency repairs prior to the severe weather events of early 2025.

The storms caused extensive damage to other beach stairs, a lifeguard tower and viewing platforms across the Coffs Coast.

Council said the large-scale nature of these infrastructure works saw them prioritised as follows:

– Installation of a replacement lifeguard tower at Sawtell

– Temporary stairs adjoining the tower and a viewing platform

– Temporary access and viewing platform repairs at Diggers Beach

The reinstatement of access at Macauleys Headland is scheduled to start this month following the completion of complex environmental approvals.

“I am thankful for the local community’s patience in the face of what was widespread storm damage,” Cr Williams said.

Initial assessments of the Murrays Beach access stairs identified the need for a detailed survey and design process to facilitate a suitable replacement stairway.

City Infrastructure Director Andrew Beswick said the estimated cost of the survey and design will be funded from the Infrastructure Asset Renewal Reserve.

“Council would then consider including the full project in the draft 2026/27 capital works program,” he said.