The four-metre high, 45-metre long wall at the eastern base of Flagstaff Hill has deteriorated and needs significant repair works done to the sandstone brickwork.

According to tender documents, the wall has had little work for many years and is in an exposed position, with previous repairs using hard cement contributing to its decay.

The wall is part of Wollongong’s state heritage-listed harbour, and is considered to have high heritage significance, as it was built using locally quarried lithic sandstone in 1881 to protect boats in the harbour from high seas.

The repairs will be the first work on Wollongong’s historic sea walls since a $400,000 project to fix the retaining wall at the southern edge of the harbour, which was put out to tender three years ago and completed in 2013.

The successful tenderer will be asked to remove and replace the failed cement capping as well as loose stones and crusts from the wall, but should extend the life of the existing sandstone rather than replace it.

The original stones should only be replaced ‘‘where the integrity of the wall is threatened’’, the documents said.

The successful applicant will be required to give Wollongong City Council and the fishermen’s co-operative 14 days’ notice of the work starting, with a public notice to be erected to inform walkers that access to the area will be restricted.

Tenders close on February 12.