Stage two of the five stage plan, a state government requirement, has just commenced. The full plan is due to be completed at the end of this year, 12 months ahead of schedule.

But Cr Church said the process was not moving fast enough given the imminent erosion threat to Stockton's coastline.

"I'm very disappointed about the lack of progress that is being made," he said.

"The team that is doing the work this week told councillors that they were a small team, they were stretched, they were under resourced and working very hard on emergency work."

The plan needs to be completed in order to access funding for long term solutions, in particular at Stockton foreshore.

The City of Newcastle is still waiting to hear back on two funding applications it submitted last year for emergency works.

In addition, the Newcastle Herald reported this week that the council had spent $5million of its own funds to repair Stockton foreshore over the past five years.

While he supports the council's call for state government funding, Cr Church said the City of Newcastle should be prepared to dip into its own pocket to fast-track work.

"We are sitting on $300 million in reserves so we have the financial resources to act. Further, it's our responsibility as a council to look after any assets above the high water mark," he said.

"[Asking the state government to pay half of the cost] may be a fair outcome but what is happening is we are getting delay after delay and I think the patience of the people of Stockton is being sorely tested. They are looking for action, they don't want to see politics, they don't want to see bureaucratic delays they want to see their beach restored."

City of Newcastle Director of Infrastructure and Property Ken Liddell said council staff were making "exceptional progress" on the Coastal Management Plan.

"Our dedicated staff are working non-stop to complete the plan well ahead of schedule," he said.

This was reinforced by Local Government Minister Shelly Hancock who congratulated the council on its progress in December.

Mr Liddell said he appreciated that many people were frustrated that there was still not a government-approved long-term solution to address Stockton erosion.

"However this is not a reason to blame council staff or suggest that they could make it happen more quickly. The Coastal Management Plan is a process mandated by the government which requires a detailed exploration of every suggestion put forward by the relevant agencies and departments," he said.

"We are undertaking ongoing liaison with Department of Primary Industry and Energy regarding any options to fast track the Coastal Managment for the Stockton section to avoid the certain risk that the CMP will be rejected if we don't follow due process.

Cr Church said he supported the extension of the sea wall along the entire foreshore to prevent further erosion. Beyond that, he has an open mind to options for long-term sand nourishment on the beach.

He said he was keen to explore the option of building a pipeline under the harbour to pump sand from Nobbys to Stockton.

But Deputy Mayor Declan Clausen said he was disappointed by Cr Church's comments.

"He has made no effort to work collaboratively on a solution instead using an ongoing erosion crisis and natural disaster to score political points and float thought bubble solutions which only create false expectations," he said.