IT'S become a question of who's responsible.
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Three months after an east coast low hammered Stockton, ripping tonnes of sand from the erosion-crippled coastline, beach access at the Stockton breakwater is still closed.
A sheer 2.5-metre drop from the breakwater entrance to the beach is cordoned off with temporary fencing and signs warning beachgoers to stay away.
Fisherman Justin Jones said on Thursday it was "ridiculous" how long it had taken to repair the access.
"It's one of the main beach entries, especially for fishermen, and it's extremely dangerous," he said.
"You either have to brave jumping down there and a broken ankle, tackle the rocks, or give the beach a miss."
The issue it seems is who is responsible for repairing the access off King Street.
A City of Newcastle spokeswoman said on Thursday that it was working with the Port of Newcastle to ensure repair of the eroded north face of the breakwater.
"This will allow for critical Port of Newcastle accessway remediation, and access to be reinstated to the southern end of the beach," she said.
"Current pedestrian and vehicle access to the beach is closed until the works are completed."
In response, Port of Newcastle's spokeswoman said the issue was not on port land, rather Crown Land just to the north of the breakwater.
She said City of Newcastle was responsible for making decisions about access to the beach and the breakwater.
"Port of Newcastle is unable provide details of works or projects on land outside of its port lease," she said.
"While the Crown Land requiring repair is outside of the port lease area, in goodwill Port of Newcastle is having discussions with City of Newcastle to explore solutions."
In the meantime, the access remains closed and beachgoers are forced to use Little beach on the other side of the breakwater in Newcastle Harbour.
Mr Jones said he hoped the "buck passing" could stop so something might get done. "Enough of the finger pointing already," he said. "Let's do a day's worth of work and put a sand ramp in."
A Crown Land spokesman said the beach access was part of a reserve designated for public recreation and the responsibility of City of Newcastle as the Crown land manager.
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