Other sites of historical and cultural significance, such as Stockton's war memorial and the old railway workings at Catherine Hill Bay, could not be replaced should they be lost to the sea.

Although property prices do not presently reflect a looming crisis, few disagree that many beachfront houses are likely to come under serious threat within the next two decades.

Since 1995, the State Government has invested more than $2 million in coastline management projects in Newcastle.

The Federal Government, through the CSIRO, has also committed funding for research about the impact of coastal erosion.

It is essential that State and Federal governments continue to work with councils and with communities to develop strategies to deal with coastal erosion if widespread social and economic chaos is to be avoided.

Lake's clean cars

IT hardly seems appropriate that Lake Macquarie ratepayers, facing cuts to services because of a budget crunch, should be paying to wash the cars of their council's senior executives. Mayor Greg Piper's excuse that the practice is a very old one and its inappropriate nature had escaped notice doesn't wash, so to speak.

It appears council bosses discussed the issue recently, deciding to keep their perk while searching the city budget for savings from ratepayer services.

A weekly car wash for a handful of city chiefs might seem a small matter, but in the eyes of the public such little things can carry a symbolism that outweighs their dollar value.