Wollongong City Council is one step closer to commencing works to extend the Emma McKeon Promenade at North Wollongong Beach, with construction of stage two of the project set to begin in late February.
Stage 2 of the seawall project will see a continuation of the works undertaken in Stage 1, with the ageing crib wall between the North Wollongong Surf Club and North Beach Bathers Pavilion to be replaced with a new seawall in line with the stepped wall of the first phase of works.
The design features tiered concrete bleachers with stairways linking the promenade to the beach, with an accessible beach ramp and lower terraced area adjacent to the Bathers Pavilion to provide enhanced access for the whole community.
Once delivered, the completed seawall will provide increased coastal protection and improve amenity and function of the beach and promenade for the community to enjoy for many years to come.
"We all know just how popular the new steps and seawall at the northern end of North Beach have been,'' Lord Mayor of Wollongong Councillor Tania Brown said.
"They've been really well received by the community and we're heading to the third summer where we've had this improvement in place. We're planning now for the second and final stage of this work in this popular heritage precinct.
"It's obviously one of the most popular locations along the Blue Mile, but it's about far more than aesthetics. There is a lot of research and science that has gone into the development of this seawall so it can provide protection for the beach and foreshore against rough seas, storms and the long-term effects of climate change.
"While we will always see the impacts of wild weather on our beaches with the movement of sand exposing rocks or stormwater dumping debris onto the foreshore, the seawall does provide essential protection for the heritage-listed buildings and grassed areas beyond.''
Successful contractor The Civil Experts Pty Ltd (TCE) will be on site in late February after being awarded the contract for the project in late December following a direct negotiation process. The contract was awarded after Council resolved in October 2025 to decline all tenders submitted through an open tender process and undertake direct negotiations with tenderers, or any other party, to achieve the best outcome and value for the project and community.
As part of the seawall construction project, Council will also carry out essential maintenance to the kiosk and pavilion buildings including external repairs and drainage improvements. We will work closely with businesses in the precinct to minimise any impacts of the work.
The pavilion works will not require any closures and can be managed with modified access arrangements – however, the café and kiosk will be closed for the duration of the seawall project.
