Jimmys Beach residents were bracing for the loss of more sand on Wednesday night as the large swell gnawed away at an unstable four metre cliff across the road from their homes.
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An estimated six metres of foreshore was stripped from the coastal erosion hotspot within 24 hours.
"We are getting to the dangerous point where it's getting very close to the road and also the sand transfer pipeline," Jimmys Beach Preservation Association president, Richard Streamer said.
Meanwhile, a $4.1 million sand transfer system seen by many as the solution to the area's chronic erosion problems is lying idle because MidCoast Council does not yet have an operator.
The two kilometre pipeline, which was commissioned last April, was designed to pump sand from a stockpile at Winda Woppa to 10 points along Jimmys Beach.
The project, jointly funded by State and local government, was undertaken after 30 years of research into the best way to deal with erosion at Jimmys Beach.
While opinions within the scientific and general community vary, the council took the position that ongoing replenishment was the best way forward.
A MidCoast Council spokeswoman said the council was in the process of tendering for a contractor to operate the system for the next five years.
In the short-term spoil from the Myall River dredging program will be pumped to the beach via an alternative pipeline.
"Renourishment sand will be pumped to Jimmys Beach via the dredge pipeline and not via the sand transfer system for an immediate restoration of the sand buffer on Jimmys Beach," the spokeswoman said.
"Following this sand will be placed on the stockpile for future use by the sand transfer system.
"This is the most effective immediate solution and an integral part of the dredging program which takes place every five to six years."
Mr Streamer said this week's severe weather would have been an ideal test for the transfer system.
"It's a big investment and the fact that it is not running is a bit disappointing if for no other reason it hasn't run for nearly two years it would have been good to turn it over," he said.
Patricia Garrard, who lives across the road from the beach said a more strategic approach was needed for both the protection of the beach and people's property.
"The take away is that there must be a concerted effort to find a permanent solution because the situation where sand is deposited and then eroded will continue and it really is an awful waste of money and effort," Ms Garrard said.
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Matthew Kelly
Matthew Kelly has worked as a journalist for more than 25 years. He has been working as a general reporter at the Newcastle Herald since 2018. In recent years he has reported on subjects including environment, energy, water security, manufacturing and higher education. He has previously covered issues including the health and environmental impacts of uncovered coal wagons in the Hunter Valley, the pollution of legacy of former industrial sites and freedom of information issues.
Matthew Kelly has worked as a journalist for more than 25 years. He has been working as a general reporter at the Newcastle Herald since 2018. In recent years he has reported on subjects including environment, energy, water security, manufacturing and higher education. He has previously covered issues including the health and environmental impacts of uncovered coal wagons in the Hunter Valley, the pollution of legacy of former industrial sites and freedom of information issues.
