Another witness of the cliff collapse, who asked not to be identified, said he felt the ground shake and heard a loud crash, which he thought was from a nearby construction site.
The council said it’s investigating whether heavy rainfall contributed to the collapse.
“Assessments are ongoing, but it appears sustained heavy rainfall may have contributed to the section of the cliff slipping, beneath which a stormwater drain – or culvert – ran,” the council said in a statement.
“The culvert and a safety rail were badly damaged during the slip. A geotechnical assessment will be conducted to ensure the stability of the cliff area and to determine whether the exclusion zone needs to be extended.”
Another local, Ben Robinson, said he had recently walked over the stormwater pipe.
“Two days ago, I was walking down the stairs that are now smashed. It’s crazy,” he said.
“I go twice a week, and it’s a small part of my walk … On a hot summer’s day, people would be sitting there, it could’ve happened in summer.”
The beach is closed due to dangerous surf conditions.
More to follow