The long standing issue of erosion on Stockton Beach has already threatened the local surf club, and left part of the Stockton Colliery – once more than 100 meters from the low-tide point – protruding metres out of the sand in June.

Now residents are coming together at an open community meeting to search for a permanent solution.

“This has been going on for a long time now, we had meetings with council last year discussing solutions but nothing has really come of that,” meeting organiser Simon Jones said. “We are trying to kick-start the conversation again.”

“It would be great to get some commitment from the council and state government that says ‘we want to do something and this is how we hope to achieve it’.

“I don’t anticipate that there’ll be any end results from this meeting but it’s more about getting the ball rolling so we can get some results down the line.”

Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes is expected to attend the meeting, and an open invitation has been extended to all interested community members.

“We’re hoping to get a good turn out for the meeting, and anyone that has any ideas or discussion about the erosion is welcome,” Jones said.

It’s becoming clear that action is needed sooner rather than later for Stockton’s beach and coastline.

“When the colliery was first installed [in March, 1885] it was around 110 metres from the low-tide point on the beach,” Jones said. “Now it’s getting revealed by waves. Next after the surf club is the football oval, the caravan park, then the cafe and daycare on the beach.”

“It’s clear that something has to be done to save them, and it has to be soon.”

The meeting will be held at the Stockton Surf Club on November 2 from 6:30pm.