PEOPLE power at Lake Cathie has won out for now, but the battle to find the best alternatives at Illaroo Road still has a long way to go.
The forward plan will fall into one of the many key issues the new-look council will have to deal with, and it will cost many millions of dollars just for the revetment wall alone.
Walking the tightrope between protecting a lifestyle people bought into in good faith, and managing the risk of coastal erosion, will be something council needs to work openly on with the residents and professionals involved.
One of the keys to making sure the right funding models are found will come when coastal erosion goes up for discussion at the next Local Government Association conference in October.
It would be beneficial if the state government also has its eye closely on these discussions.