Roofing in Collaroy

Describe the roof damage in Collaroy, including whether it followed a storm and whether access is from a beachfront or sloping block. Collaroy runs from Long Reef headland north along the beach to Narrabeen, and back up the slopes toward Collaroy Plateau. The Roofing Northern Beaches guides explain the work and local checks.

Collaroy is split between flats and houses: of its 2,986 occupied private dwellings at the 2021 Census, 1,589 (53.2%) were flats or apartments and 1,245 (41.7%) were separate houses. So a roofing job here is about as likely to start with a strata committee as with a homeowner; NSW Government guidance puts “Roof and gutters” with the owners corporation in most cases.

The beachfront since June 2016

The NSW Government’s recovery report on the June 2016 East Coast Low records that “In Collaroy, between Stuart and Ramsay Streets 10 houses and one apartment block with 14 apartments were significantly impacted by coastal erosion.” Residents were evacuated, and owners were given access to “remove parts of their homes that were considered a public safety risk, such as partially fallen balconies.”

Council lists Collaroy-Narrabeen Beach among the NSW Government’s coastal erosion hotspots, and coastal protection works at the Stuart and Ramsay Street road ends are complete. On the beachfront lots, Warringah DCP E9 (Coastline Hazard) deals with setbacks and foundations rather than roofs.

By our calculation from NSW Government map data, about 16% of Collaroy’s residential land is within 200 metres of the ocean coastline, a map measure that ignores shelter and height. Within 200 metres of breaking surf, BlueScope’s selection guide recommends Colorbond Ultra (beyond 100 metres) or SUPERDURA stainless steel rather than Classic or Matt Colorbond; see steel roofs near the coast.

Heritage-listed houses

By our count from the state heritage map, more than ten individually listed houses fall within Collaroy, along with a cinema, the rock pool and several groups of street trees and palms. The heritage conservation areas that reach Collaroy are reserves, not streets: Long Reef Aquatic Reserve, the coastal cliffs and part of Dee Why Lagoon.

For a listed house, the exempt route doesn’t cover the roof: the NSW Codes SEPP’s roof cladding clause applies “if it is not constructed or installed on or in a heritage item or a draft heritage item or in a heritage conservation area or a draft heritage conservation area”. Council’s heritage FAQ says “If you wish to repair, change or renovate your heritage-listed property you need to lodge a development application”, and that sympathetic work may mean retaining “the original roof pitch, materials, window placement, setback and colour.” For minor works or maintenance, council’s Heritage Exemption Application (form 1001) is the way to seek an exemption from needing consent.

The slopes below Collaroy Plateau

About two-thirds of Collaroy’s residential land is in the Collaroy Plateau landslip classes on the Warringah LEP map, by our calculation from NSW Government map data. The DCP describes Area D as “Flanking slopes (Collaroy Plateau area)” of 5 to 15 degrees, and Area E as “Steeper slopes (Collaroy Plateau area)” of more than 15 degrees. In Area D, development needs “A preliminary assessment of site conditions”; by our reading, that applies to development applications, not an exempt re-roof. On a steep block, getting scaffolding and materials to the roof takes more planning, so ask the roofer how access affects the quote.

About 17% of Collaroy’s residential land is on council’s bush fire prone land map, by our calculation, almost all of it buffer near the bushland on Long Reef headland and the slopes below Collaroy Plateau. On mapped land, an exempt re-roof must “be adequately sealed or protected to prevent the entry of embers” and “use equivalent or improved quality materials”.

Roofing work in Collaroy

Choose the work you’re planning in Collaroy, then describe the roof material, condition and access:

• Roof repairs: cracked and slipped tiles, ridge capping, valleys, flashings and rusted metal.
• Roof leak repairs: leaks traced back to where the water gets in, then fixed there.
• Roof restoration: clean, repair, rebed, repoint and recoat a roof that’s still sound.
• Roof replacement: old tile, iron or fibro roofs stripped and replaced, in Colorbond or new tiles.
• Gutters and gutter guard: gutters, downpipes and metal gutter guard.

Before re-roofing in Collaroy

Whether a new roof needs approval depends on the property, not just the suburb: whether it’s a heritage item or in a heritage conservation area, whether it’s on bush fire prone land, and whether the old roof contains asbestos. Your property’s planning certificate shows its heritage and bush fire status, and Northern Beaches Council explains exempt and complying development. The roofer should confirm the approval pathway with the quote. See roof replacement for the conditions.

Nearby suburbs

• Roofing in Dee Why
• Roofing in Narrabeen
• Roofing across the Northern Beaches

Common questions