SMASHED: Broken pipes at Shelly Beach as a result of the stormy seas. Re

NORTH Coast beaches have copped a battering for the second time in three weeks.

And the impacts will be devastating in terms of erosion.

Ballina Environment Society president Fiona Folan said it was "pretty sad" situation for beaches in the Ballina Shire.

"Scientists have been warning for years that climate change is not just about sea level rise," she said.

"It's also about increased frequency and intensity of weather events like this.

"It does have an impact on the beaches.

"The beaches here were severely impacted by sand mining last century, and rehabilitation failed after the mining stopped.

"The beaches are still suffering ... weather events like this do have long-term impacts on our coast."

Ms Folan said Sharpes Beach at Skennars Head was now down to its "last little bit" of dune.

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Beaches take a severe battering