TOURISTS and residents are steering clear of repair work at Port Macquarie's breakwall.
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The fences went up this week as a $275,000 project begins to repair storm damaged sections of the Hastings River southern breakwall.
Between one third and a half of the painted crest rocks will be replaced with new crest rock as a result of the repairs.
Tourists Gail and Peter Shepherdson from Bendigo are pragmatic about the repairs.
"I think it has to be repaired if there is storm damage," Mrs Shepherdson said.
"If it went on like that it would get worse and worse - something has to be done."
Mr Shepherdson agreed progress had to occur.
"They will soon come back and put their names back on," he said about the rock art.
Canadian tourist Tim Grant echoed that sentiment: "They will paint them again."
The skate park remains accessible during the project.
Jackson Smith, at the skate park on Monday, said the new rocks would be painted in time but it would not be the same, while Casey Beaumont said he didn't mind that some of the painted rocks would be moved but the people responsible for creating the rock art might be a bit upset.
About 2800 tonnes of rock will be placed at the head of the breakwater and along sections of the wall.
A Crown Lands spokeswoman said storm damage over the past few years had degraded the structure to the point that repairs were required to stabilise the breakwater and to enhance public safety.
The repairs will involve relocation of existing rocks down the face of the breakwater including many of the painted rocks along the edge of the crest.
Crown Lands says it is not practical to retain these rocks in their current positions or remove and reinstate them.
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