Excavation equipment was moved to the entrance of Narrabeen lagoon on Thursday to prepare for the extreme weather forecast for the coming weekend.

Additional inspections are also being undertaken across the whole Northern Beaches area, clearing a number of pits, pipes and culverts which are critical to reduce the chance of flooding.

Council is also encouraging the community in flood-prone areas to take steps to protect their homes and move precious items to higher ground.

Mayor Michael Regan said Council staff were on high alert, noting the combination of big swells and high rainfall heightened the flood risk.

“We are doing everything we can do now to reduce the risk,” Mayor Regan said.

“At Narrabeen excavators will excavate a flood channel, so it’s relatively fast and easy to open the lagoon entrance when enough rainfall results in hitting the trigger level.

"If you open the entrance before the levels in the lagoon are high enough, it will just fill back up with sand and close immediately, making it harder to keep open.

“Unfortunately though, this weekend we are dealing with not just significant rainfall predictions but very large swells which will result in pressure on both sides of the lagoon entrance. That can mean water can’t escape the lagoon as quickly as usual, increasing the risk of flooding.

“That’s why we are also encouraging the community to be alert and ready to act if they live in low lying areas.

“Our experts will be closely monitoring the tides, wind, rainfall, swell and lagoon levels. This will inform when the opening can occur.

“Our crews are on standby 24/7, ready to act immediately as needed across the weekend.

“We are similarly preparing for an opening of Manly Lagoon, while Dee Why and Curl Curl and Great Mackerel lagoons have been checked and are expected to open through natural cycles.”

Ocean swells will also be monitored and beaches will be closed for safety where appropriate during the weekend.

Media Enquiries: media@northernbeaches.nsw.gov.au 9942 2678