Access restrictions to Koolewong eased

The Rural Fire Service has eased access restrictions to Koolewong at the weekend, while investigations into the fire which destroyed 16 homes and damaged a further 23 continue.

"Access restrictions have now been lifted in all zones for residents to return to the area," said incident controller Mr Jonathon Hill in his final newsletter about the fire, issued on Saturday, December 13.

"Please note access is for residents only.

"We ask everyone to respect this and avoid unnecessary travel through the affected zones."

Residents were asked to stay clear of cordoned areas, to observe barriers and to avoid marked asbestos hazards.

The fire service said the fire, which started around midday on Saturday, December 6, was "contained" on Tuesday, and was "now in its final stages and at a patrol status".

Police investigators said on Wednesday, December 10: "While the fire is likely to have originated in bushland on Nimbin Rd, the cause remains undetermined at this stage.

"Forensic examinations at the point of origin have not identified any evidence suggesting the use of ignitable liquids or a deliberate act.

"Examinations also indicate the likely cause of a fire near Koolewong Railway Station was a 'spot fire' from the original fire in bushland on Nimbin Rd.

"Scene examinations of affected properties within the fire zone have been completed and the area is no longer an active crime scene.

"Investigators continue to collect and review CCTV footage, recordings, and conduct inquiries with affected homeowners and witnesses."

SOURCE:

Newsletter, 13 Dec 2025

Rural Fire Service

Media release, 10 Dec 2025

NSW Police MORE FIRE NEWS - Page 8

Plan to close The Esplanade in coastal emergency

The Esplanade could be closed in sections at Ettalong and Umina in an emergency caused by coastal inundation and erosion, according to an appendix in a draft coastal management plan.

The action is foreshadowed in a Coastal Zone Emergency Action Subplan for Broken Bay Beaches, which is included in the draft Hawkesbury-Nepean River System Coastal Management Program.

Closures are among several "responses" to coastal erosion and coastal inundation events likely to occur once in 100 years - or events that have a "one percent annual exceedance probability", as the appendix puts it.

Other emergency responses include the use of sand bags and beach scraping, and collapsing the escarpment at access paths to "reinstate safe access" to the beach.

The "subplan", prepared by consultants Water Technology Pty Ltd for Central Coast Council in August, considers beaches at Ettalong, Umina, Pearl Beach and Patonga.

It regards the western parts of Ettalong Beach being at "high risk" due to both erosion and inundation.

"The main road along the beach (The Esplanade) is at risk of erosion across the reaches of foreshore that are not currently protected by permanent Coastal Protection Works.

"Towards the eastern end of Ettalong Beach, the foreshore in the vicinity of the Ettalong Wharf is also potentially exposed," it states.

The western part of Ocean-Umina Beach is also at high risk, "particularly due to the impacts of beach erosion".

"The Esplanade is at risk of erosion with potential impacts in adjacent properties particularly those near the intersection with Barrenjoey Rd.

"Erosion from this event is close to compromising Ocean Beach Surf Life Saving Club."

The plan said little impact of erosion or inundation was expected in the central and western parts of the beach, except to beach access paths and to some "foreshore recreation infrastructure" at the NRMA Ocean Beach Holiday Resort and at the entrance to Ettymalong Creek.

It stated that a high risk existed that about 30 properties at Pearl Beach would be impacted by erosion and "a few properties in the south of the beach will be inundated".

At Patonga, there was a high risk of "about 60 properties" being impacted by coastal inundation.

The "primary mechanism" would be "storm tide inundation" from the Patonga Creek side of the township, with more than 60 properties being "identified as at risk, located along Patonga Dr, Bay St, and Jacaranda Ave".

The emergency plan lists more than 10 measures each under headings of Prevention, Preparedness, Response and Recovery.

Recovery measures include the "placement of sand on an opportunistic basis from dredging activities in the Ettalong Channel", but the emergency plan does not discuss the longer-term maintenance or protection works for the beaches.

The appendix discusses the relationship of this plan to other emergency plans.

It discusses triggers for emergency action and the roles of various organisations, including Central Coast Council, the State Emergency Service, the Rural Fire Service, the Ambulance Service of NSW, the Bureau of Meterology, NSW Marine Rescue, the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water, the National Parks and Wildlife Service, NSW Police, Surf Life Saving NSW and Transport for NSW.

The plan notes: "Private landholders are responsible for private land.

"Private property owners have responsibilities to monitor, manage, prepare and repair their properties for risks associated with coastal erosion, inundation and cliff and slope instability.

"Any physical works on private property are subject to development controls and environmental planning instruments, including the Central Coast Development Control Plan."

Central Coast Council's environment and planning committee has recommended the draft Program be placed on public exhibition.

SOURCE:

Agenda item 3.7, 2 Dec 2025

Environment and Planning Committee, Central Coast Council