At high tide, the water has been pushing under the Urunga Surf Life Saving Club watch tower, potentially threatening its stability.

For safety reasons, Bellingen Shire Council has closed public access to the tower.

Urunga SLSC Captain Jim McCullagh, who was shifting equipment from the tower back to the main club house this morning, said council engineers were concerned that the footings were now exposed and could be undermined by further rock movement and sand erosion.

He said the worst case scenario was that the tower could collapse and wash away.

Council's plans for beach work at Hungry Head this week have been delayed until more of it is visible.