Anxious wait for NSW beachfront homeowners

Owners of damaged multi-million-dollar beachfront properties in Sydney's north continue an anxious wait to determine the future of their homes, which are teetering on eroded coastline.

Since the weekend's violent storms, thousands of sandbags have been piled up to fortify the dozen or so homes and two apartment blocks in Collaroy that are on the verge of sliding into the sea.

Residents have been forced into emergency accommodation until engineers can fully assess the damage, while also liaising with the local council about building a sea wall.

Early indications are that the homes may survive.

"The latest advice is at this stage none of the homes will have to be destroyed; however this is based on preliminary advice and it is still being assessed on a day-to-day basis," Northern Beaches Council administrator Dick Persson said.

"The engineers are still assessing the area and the houses as the sand dries out."

Residents have been able to return to their homes with an escort to collect personal items.

Truckloads of boulders and rocks continue to be dumped in front of the homes, acting as a retaining wall.

Council general manager Mark Ferguson, who met with up to 40 affected residents on Tuesday, said the council was happy to work with the state government and residents to build a sea wall, but couldn't foot the entire bill.

The storm-affected Pittwater Road residents have agreed in principle to help Northern Beaches Council pay for it.

Collaroy resident Tony Cagorski said the council agreed to create a system in which those who cannot pay the estimated $120,000 cost will be able to pay back the money in instalments.

Mr Ferguson said owners would be issued with emergency orders in the coming days, advising them what repair work would be required on their homes.

The orders would enable property owners to circumvent the need to lodge development applications to have their properties repaired.

The council's willingness to build a sea wall to prevent future damage is at odds with its previous refusal to erect one.

Community pressure and a 3000-strong rally halted construction plans for a 1.1km wall in 2002.

Mr Ferguson said a 2014 Coastal Zone Management Plan had since identified the need for a sea wall.