Work has commenced in making the site safe and in ascertaining the need for stabilisation works after a quantity of rock fell onto Phegans Bay Road at Phegans Bay on Wednesday evening 8 July and Thursday morning 9 July, following the collapse of a section of rock face high above the road.

The collapse was as a result of natural erosion, and does not appear to have damaged the formation of adjacent Phegans Bay Road or Woy Woy Bay Road.

Work commenced immediately to protect both pedestrians and motorists in Phegans Bay Road from any further rocks or debris fall, with the placement of temporary concrete barrier kerbs. A temporary asphaltic kerb has also been formed on Woy Woy Bay Road above the rock fall site to prevent road water draining onto the rock face.

These works were completed on Thursday 9 July 2009. It has been necessary to implement one-lane traffic flow on Phegans Bay Road under temporary traffic light control past the rockfall site until the temporary concrete barriers can be removed.

A relatively small quantity of unstable earth and several trees will be removed from near the top of the rock fall site, which is adjacent to Woy Woy Bay Road.

Once these unstable items are removed, the Geotechnical Consultant will undertake a full assessment of the rock fall site and adjacent escarpment to ascertain what, if any, remediation work should be undertaken from this point.

Local emergency services have been informed and a Council Officer will be present at the site at all times until the hazard is eliminated should a further rock fall occur.

Gosford City Council apologises for any inconvenience that stabilisation works may cause.