Earthmoving equipment that was being used in the area last week was left perched precariously over the collapsed section of wall.

A security guard had been brought in to keep sightseers away from the area on Sunday afternoon.

"A replacement of the sea wall is being constructed as part of the South Newcastle Beach upgrade already underway," a City of Newcastle spokeswoman said.

Concerns about the stability of a newer section of the seawall to the south of the collapsed area were raised in early 2019 following the appearance of rust marks on the wall.

City of Newcastle said at the time that it did not believe the corrosion would affect the wall's stability

Damaging waves continued to pound the Hunter coast throughout Sunday.

While the waves along the region's coast were generally between 2 to 2.5 metres, one buoy near Coffs Harbour registered a wave height of over 10 metres on Saturday night. Another buoy measured an 8.5m wave off the coast of Sydney.

Although the local waves didn't reach the forecast 5.5 metre mark, plenty of surfers took the opportunity to paddle out over the weekend.

Meanwhile, tonnes of sand bags placed along Stockton Beach protected the beach from further damage.

Erosion hot spots around the surf club, Lexie's cafe and Barrie Crescent appeared to be holding up well when they were exposed by Sunday morning's low tide.

Tensions about the rate of progress to implement a long-term solution for the beach flared again recently when it was revealed a state government fund designed to help councils battle erosion had handed out less than half of its $72.7 million funding pool.

The strong south to south-westerly winds and surf conditions are the product of a southerly airstream along the NSW Coast created by a deep low pressure system over the eastern Tasman Sea.

Conditions should gradually ease from Monday as the weather system weakens and moves away to the east.

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But surf conditions are expected to remain hazardous for the next few days due to a powerful south to southeasterly swell.

Surf Life Saving NSW has asked people to consider staying out of the water and to avoid walking near surf-exposed areas, while rock fishers were advised to steer clear of coastal rock platforms.

"Beaches are not patrolled at this time of year and even experienced surfers will struggle in these conditions," SLSNSW director of lifesaving Joel Wiseman said.

"We'd advise giving the rock fishing a miss altogether this weekend. It's just not worth the risk."

The forecast for Monday is mostly sunny with a top of 20 degrees. Winds will be west to southwest between 15 to 25 kilometres an hour.

Tuesday is expected to reach 21 degrees. Winds will be light.

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