Heavy seas, high tides and rain run-off have caused significant beach erosion, particularly in the Camden Haven.

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Philip Wells shared photos of Bartlett’s Beach in Bonny Hills, which he “had never seen so rough”.

“[Tuesday] when it was high tide there was no beach. Waves were breaking into the bush.”

While Lake Cathie residents were delighted to see the lake and lagoon full to the brim and “pumping”, there are concerns for the beach embankment stretching down to Bonny Hills.

One section along Illaroo Road was reduced by 10 metres in just two days, with Port Macquarie-Hastings Council staff and residents inspecting the damage on Wednesday morning.

On the foreshore reserve, where Council had placed bags of rocks in anticipation of Alfred, so much of the grassed area had been carved away that an electrical pit used to power events in the park was exposed.

A Council worker disconnected the power to the pit on Wednesday morning.

The swell also led Council to close beaches and 4WD beach access down to Dunbogan.

“Large tides and swells are impacting our coastline, placing the safety of our community at risk,” it advised.

Council Lifeguards also warned the community that debris was being washed ashore in the heavy seas.

Updates on beach access can be found on their websites and social pages.

The Weather Bureau expected the conditions to continue for most of the week.

“A deep low in the Tasman Sea is driving strong winds, gusty showers and damaging to hazardous surf for much of the NSW coast,” it advised.

“Large waves of up to five-metres have been recorded.

“A Coastal Hazard Warning is current for damaging surf for parts of the Mid North Coast [and] a Hazardous Surf Warning is current for NSW.

“This very heavy surf may lead to damage and erosion of beaches and exposed coasts, especially south of Smoky Cape.

“It will also mean conditions along the east coast become more dangerous for activities like swimming, rock fishing and boating due to the rough seas.”

For the latest warnings, go to the Bureau’s website at bom.gov.au or visit the BOM Weather app.

By Sue STEPHENSON