The reopening of a popular beach on Sydney Harbour has again been delayed after "defects" were found.
The National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) closed Shark Beach in Nielsen Park in early 2022, after its 100-year-old seawall was damaged in a storm six years earlier.
Reconstruction work was initially due for completion in December 2022, but its reopening was delayed several times.
In October last year, NPWS said "adverse weather, the need to remove 3,600 tonnes of asbestos and a termination of the contract with the original construction company" were behind the delays.
Earlier this year, the NPWS said it would be completed in June.
An update published by the department last month said "while significant progress has been made … once again, inclement weather and showers during the first week of July impacted the progress of works".
The update also said "NSW Public Works and the (2nd) contractor continue to closely monitor the works program and sequencing of activities to account for impacts from adverse weather and construction complexities. Completion is now scheduled for early September 2024".
Reconstruction work has been delayed multiple times since the beach was closed. (ABC News: Danuta Kozaki)
'We're all a bit fed up'
Liberal member for Vaucluse, Kellie Sloane, told ABC Radio Sydney that she was "incredibly frustrated" by the news and said the community would be "incredibly disappointed" and "angry".
"There's been a procession of difficulties over the span of the project," she said.
"Quite frankly, we're all a bit fed up."
According to Ms Sloane, the delay is expected to take weeks, not months.
The local member said it meant that people hoping to use the beach now or for the October school holidays will "have to wait a bit longer".
"I'm told this problem is of a superficial nature, so it's not structural. It's been identified, it's getting fixed, and we're getting closer to the finish line," she said.
"We've been locked out of this beach for two summers, we certainly don't want it to be a third."
NSW Environment Minister Penny Sharpe said the project had taken too long.
"I am one of the many swimmers who is waiting eagerly for the completion of these works," Ms Sharpe said.
"This is a project I have inherited and it has taken too long. I have asked the department to fix it as soon as possible."
NSW Minister for the Environment Penny Sharpe said she had asked the department to fix the seawall as soon as possible. (AAP: Mick Tsikas)
Defects identified in the finish
In a statement issued on Thursday, a NPWS spokesperson said the expected completion date for the Nielsen Park seawall had been revised to a later date.
"Unforeseen construction challenges associated with the vehicle and pedestrian ramps at the eastern end of the seawall have slowed progress," they said.
The NPWS said it had identified defects in the finish of some sections, that does not affect the integrity of the seawall structure.
"The contractor is also undertaking remedial patching of the concrete bleachers, mid-level terrace and promenade slabs after the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) identified defects in the finish."
It said the remediation will be completed by the contractor at their own cost.