Stockton's rapidly eroding foreshore was a potential death trap for children during the school holidays, City of Newcastle has warned.
In a letter sent to the area's three primary schools on Friday, council's manager of assets and projects Joanne Rigby said the sheer sand cliffs along the beach front could collapse without warning.
"This has the potential to cause loss of life if people stand too close to the top or the bottom of the sand cliffs," the letter says.
High tides combined with forecast heavy swells this weekend mean the situation may worsen.
Stockton resident Lara Hagan said the situation was tragic.
"It's disgusting; the kids should be able to access the beach during their holidays," Ms Hagan, who works at Dowling Real Estate, said.
"We had an elderly lady come into the office yesterday whose dog ran down to the water. She fell down a two metre cliff chasing after it."
Coastal engineers believe the most dangerous zone is four metres back from the top of the sand cliff and anywhere around the base.
The council has marked a white line around the no-go zone to reinforce the point.
High tides and swell are expected again this weekend and this could lead to further erosion
City of Newcastle letter to schools
The letter follows the council's decision to close the beach last week.
While other surf clubs will start volunteer patrols this weekend, the flags at Stockton will remain down.
St Peter's Catholic Primary School principalMichael Punch said the council's letter had been sent to families.
"It's certainly an issue that our students are well aware of," he said.
"The lifeguards discussed the dangers of the collapsing sand cliffs when they visited our school recently."
A Department of Education spokesman also said Stockton and Fern Bay public schools had forwarded council's letter to parents.
The latest warning, reinforces the severe loss of recreational amenity that the community has experienced as a result of the erosion crisis. Hundreds of holiday goers who visit the suburb in school holidays will also be affected.
Hundreds of residents crowded into Stockton Surf Life Saving Club on Thursday night to vent their frustration at the worsening situation.
Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes announced on Friday that a discounted entry fee would be introduced at Stockton Pool.
"I was recently emailed by Stockton resident Leanne with a great idea to reduce the entry fees to Stockton Pool, due to the ongoing access issues at Stockton Beach because of coastal erosion," she said.
A reduced, flat rate casual entry fee of $2.80 will be on offer from Monday 30 September until Sunday 13 October 2019.
Entry for children under the age of three remains free.
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