Critics of the South Newcastle Beach skate park upgrade say the weekend's massive swell that smashed onto the construction site is proof the project is in the wrong spot.
Long-time South Newcastle Beach surfer Bernie Wilson said "all our worst fears came to fruition" when waves pummelled the site on Saturday, washing construction materials including fencing into the ocean.
"We don't know where they're going to resurface," he said.
But Mr Wilson said he wasn't surprised, after similar events in the past and warning Newcastle council the site's proximity to the ocean would result in this.
Independent councillor John Church has asked questions of council about the extent of the damage, how much was washed away and what impact it would have on the works timeline.
Workers were back on site this week and council says the contractor Lloyd Group is responsible for the site as well as retrieving and reinstalling the fence panels. However council did not respond to questions about any expected extra cost or time for the works.
When works commenced in August 2020, the expected completion time was quoted at two years and project cost as $12.6 million. The Herald reported in December the council's annual report valued the contract at $14.38 million.
Mr Wilson was also critical of the immediate response over the weekend. He said he went surfing about 6.30-9am Sunday and didn't see anyone there. He went back about 1pm for another surf and saw a security guard, but no official cleanup crews.
Council said "a security guard was present during the weekend to ensure safety of the public when the fence was not in in place".
Mr Wilson said the wave activity proved the skate park was in the wrong spot.
"It's a great idea but just in the wrong place," he said.
Cr Church said he had long argued the skate bowl "will become a receptacle for salt, sand and debris".
"While I support the improvements to the Bathers Way... the recent storms and large swells remind us once again that the skate bowl is a folly in this location," he said.
"There are plenty of other places within the city where a skate bowl would be a welcome addition."
Council said South Newcastle Beach had been rundown and isolated for decades, and hoped the upgrade "will finally bring the area back to life" and reduce anti-social behaviour.
"Completed sections of the Bathers Way have prompted 50 per cent usage increases, with Merewether one of the busiest due to its additional facilities, and we expect to see similar impetus from this revitalisation project."
