Illaroo Coastal Hazard Protection Review and Co-design Project and Stormwater Realignment Works, Lake Cathie 

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linkedin Email this link

Consultation has concluded

Council has been working for a number of years to find a solution to managing the potential coastal erosion risk to private and public infrastructure at Illaroo Road. This has involved coastal hazards studies, assessment of a range of options, the adopted 2016 Lake Cathie Coastal Zone Management Plan (CZMP), and extensive community engagement.

There are currently two projects underway related to this issue:
1. Illaroo Road Stormwater Redirection Project
2. Illaroo Road Coastal Hazard Protection Review and Co-Design Project

Project Overview

Illaroo Road Stormwater Redirection – a proposal to relocate the stormwater outlets from Lighthouse Beach (locally know as Cathie Beach) to instead discharge towards Lake Cathie.

Consultation completed 28 March 2022.

At the Extraordinary Council Meeting on 7 March 2022 Council resolved to defer this work until further community consultation is undertaken as it has been recognised that there are differing views amongst the community. We invited feedback from 15 to 28 March 2022, on the proposal to realign the stormwater network at Illaroo Road to address the erosion issues currently occurring around the two stormwater outlets that discharge to Lighthouse Beach (locally known as Cathie Beach) by completing a short survey. In addition, we held an information session 27 April to provide an opportunity for community members to speak with the project team.

The feedback received from the community regarding the proposed stormwater redirection was analysed and a report presented at the Council meeting held 28 April 2022.

Council resolved to address the long-term erosion around the two stormwater outlets off Illaroo Road as a component of the Illaroo Road Coastal Hazard Protection Options Review and Co Design. This project is expected to identify a preferred coastal hazard protection option in August 2022. Council will proceed to undertake the Asbestos Remediation Works to the extent that addresses immediate risk and within available budget.

View the Document Library and Important Links for further information.
Read the summary of the Council Resolution 28 April 2022 in the Project Updates.

Illaroo Road Coastal Hazard Protection Review and Co-Design – investigating alternatives to the revetment wall design presented in 2021 that better aligns with community values.


In 2021 Council engaged with the community on the proposed revetment wall and how the wall would be funded. The community response was overwhelmingly that there was neither a willingness nor capacity for property owners to provide funding towards the construction of a revetment wall. In addition, the community requested other approaches to be considered as well the proposed revetment wall.  

Following on from consultation in 2021, we are now undertaking a co-design process with local residents and the community, to work alongside coastal engineers and scientists, to identify a preferred approach to coastal hazard management that addresses erosion from both coastal processes and stormwater runoff.

Next Steps

We will be facilitating a series of co-design workshops in May and June with directly and indirectly affected residents of Illaroo and key stakeholders to identify a preferred coastal hazard protection option. Please note that participation in the co-design process is by invitation only. The broader community will be given an opportunity to comment on coastal protection options following the workshops.

Following the co-design workshops, a Councillor briefing will be held in August 2022 and a report will be presented to Council taking into account community feedback alongside our technical information with recommendations for a preferred coastal protection option.

Council has been working for a number of years to find a solution to managing the potential coastal erosion risk to private and public infrastructure at Illaroo Road. This has involved coastal hazards studies, assessment of a range of options, the adopted 2016 Lake Cathie Coastal Zone Management Plan (CZMP), and extensive community engagement.

There are currently two projects underway related to this issue:
1. Illaroo Road Stormwater Redirection Project
2. Illaroo Road Coastal Hazard Protection Review and Co-Design Project

Project Overview

Illaroo Road Stormwater Redirection – a proposal to relocate the stormwater outlets from Lighthouse Beach (locally know as Cathie Beach) to instead discharge towards Lake Cathie.

Consultation completed 28 March 2022.

At the Extraordinary Council Meeting on 7 March 2022 Council resolved to defer this work until further community consultation is undertaken as it has been recognised that there are differing views amongst the community. We invited feedback from 15 to 28 March 2022, on the proposal to realign the stormwater network at Illaroo Road to address the erosion issues currently occurring around the two stormwater outlets that discharge to Lighthouse Beach (locally known as Cathie Beach) by completing a short survey. In addition, we held an information session 27 April to provide an opportunity for community members to speak with the project team.

The feedback received from the community regarding the proposed stormwater redirection was analysed and a report presented at the Council meeting held 28 April 2022.

Council resolved to address the long-term erosion around the two stormwater outlets off Illaroo Road as a component of the Illaroo Road Coastal Hazard Protection Options Review and Co Design. This project is expected to identify a preferred coastal hazard protection option in August 2022. Council will proceed to undertake the Asbestos Remediation Works to the extent that addresses immediate risk and within available budget.

View the Document Library and Important Links for further information.
Read the summary of the Council Resolution 28 April 2022 in the Project Updates.

Illaroo Road Coastal Hazard Protection Review and Co-Design – investigating alternatives to the revetment wall design presented in 2021 that better aligns with community values.


In 2021 Council engaged with the community on the proposed revetment wall and how the wall would be funded. The community response was overwhelmingly that there was neither a willingness nor capacity for property owners to provide funding towards the construction of a revetment wall. In addition, the community requested other approaches to be considered as well the proposed revetment wall.  

Following on from consultation in 2021, we are now undertaking a co-design process with local residents and the community, to work alongside coastal engineers and scientists, to identify a preferred approach to coastal hazard management that addresses erosion from both coastal processes and stormwater runoff.

Next Steps

We will be facilitating a series of co-design workshops in May and June with directly and indirectly affected residents of Illaroo and key stakeholders to identify a preferred coastal hazard protection option. Please note that participation in the co-design process is by invitation only. The broader community will be given an opportunity to comment on coastal protection options following the workshops.

Following the co-design workshops, a Councillor briefing will be held in August 2022 and a report will be presented to Council taking into account community feedback alongside our technical information with recommendations for a preferred coastal protection option.

Consultation has concluded

  • Council Resolution 28 April 2022

    Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linkedin Email this link

    Following the Community Information Session on 27 April 2022, an Extra Ordinary Council Meeting was held on 28 April 2022. During the meeting, Council resolved to note the findings of the recent community engagement for the Illaroo Road Stormwater Redirection Project and the issues raised about this project at the Community Information Session.

    Council also noted the revised cost estimates undertaken in late 2021 for the Illaroo Stormwater Redirection Project amounts to $1,929,000 if this project is to proceed. Noting a current shortfall of over $1,000,000 to complete the Illaroo Stormwater Redirection Project, Council requested that the CEO submit a request for variation to NSW Department of Planning and Environment (DPE) to fund the shortfall in the current funding allocation under the Coastal and Estuary Implementation Grant.

    Council resolved to address the short-term erosion hazard around the southern stormwater outlet off Illaroo Road by using dredged material from lower Cathie Creek to nourish the shoreline around the outlet under the existing approved dredging Development Application. Noting dredging can only occur once the entrance to Cathie Creek (Lake Cathie) is closed and a Crown Lands Licence has been granted, Council staff engaged an engineering consultant to undertake a geotechnical assessment to determine if there is any imminent risk to Illaroo Road. This assessment commenced this week. If the road is found to be at imminent risk and dredging is unable to commence, Council can use emergency powers under the Local Government Act to mitigate the risk. Regardless of the outcomes of the stormwater redirection project and the Coastal Hazard Protection Options Review and Co-Design project, Council will proceed to undertake the Asbestos Remediation Works to the extent that addresses immediate risk and within available budget.