The Flynns Beach seawall will be great once complete but short notice about the project has placed a beachside cafe in a tricky position.
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That's the view of Sandbox co-owner Trent Davis.
Work has started to build an 80-metre long seawall between the surf club ramp and car park.
The project will improve safety and access to Flynns Beach.
Mr Davis said the business was happy with the improvements, but it meant they needed to go through the next six months with the potential of a slowdown in trade, which they weren't able to prepare for due to the short notice about the project from Port Macquarie-Hastings Council.
"It's going to improve our business in the long run if we can survive the next six months," Mr Davis said.
"As much as we were disappointed in the way it has come about, in the long run it's going to be great."
Mr Davis said they would have made different business decisions, given more notice of the construction project and its extent.
"We don't want anyone to think we don't like the fact they are doing the work [seawall project]," he said.
"We realise it's necessary for the beach and progress and it's going to be great for the future but we have to do a lot of damage control to minimise the impact on us, our families and incomes."
The cafe employs 15 people.
Port Macquarie-Hastings Council group manager Gary Randall said the council acknowledged the relatively short notice provided to businesses before commencing construction, following approval of the development application by the Joint Regional Planning Panel on April 17.
"We have met with local businesses to discuss any concerns and have agreed a number of specific actions to ensure that the impact of works on local business is minimised," he said.
"These actions include changes to site construction fencing to improve access and available parking, and improved signage to encourage the community to continue to support Flynns Beach businesses during construction."
The council encourages the community to continue to access the businesses including Sandbox and the surf schools, as well as the surf club.
The seawall project is stage one of improvements under the Flynns Beach Master Plan.
The work also includes a 3.5 metre-wide pedestrian and vehicle ramp onto the beach, new beach access stairs from the main car park and a connecting two metre-wide footpath behind the new wall linking the car park to the surf club.
There will be a refurbished shower area and access point to the beach.
The total stage one construction cost is $2.5 million which is made up of $1.333 million from the council and $1.167 million from the state government.
The work is scheduled for completion before the summer holidays.
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