In six months, the future Shell Cove harbour will slowly start to be filled with water, forever changing the coastline of Shellharbour.
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But this weekend, the harbour floor was filled with residents, keen for their chance to be part of "history in the making".
Shell Cove developers, Shellharbour City Council and Frasers Property Australia, opened the major construction site on Saturday morning, allowing thousands to do a final "bottom of the harbour" walk.
Mayor Marianne Saliba said more than 1000 people arrived for the event in the first half hour.
"It's so popular, I think, because this is history in the making," she said.
"Anyone who walks on the harbour floor can say to their children one day that they walked there before it was filled with water."
The event included with live entertainment and a Rotary BBQ, and attendees were also able to write a message for a time capsule that will be placed on the harbour floor.