Cape plan details erosion, storm and climate change risks at Inverloch

ONE of the scenarios for dealing with the impact of storm surge, combined with predicted high tides, and, in the future, sea level rise of up to 0.8 metres by 2100 could be to permanently close Cape Paterson-Inverloch Road to through traffic.

Other methods of “adapting” to either temporary or permanent inundation by the sea, along the coast between Cape Paterson and Cape Liptrap, might be to avoid the problem in the first place by introducing planning controls, designing structures that can accommodate the risk, legislating a “retreat” from impacted areas including from private property along Surf Parade and engineering solutions such as groynes, seawalls, breakwaters and major dune and beach renourishment.

It’s all part of the information contained in the long-awaited Cape to Cape Resilience Plan, looking at existing erosion and problems that might arise in the future as a result of climate change.

The report from the government appointed Inverloch RaSP committee, headed up by the Department of Energy Environment and Climate Action (DEECA) with membership from the two local shires, the Bunurong Land Council, West Gippsland Catchment Management Authority, Parks Victoria and Gippsland Ports was released last Friday.

However, while the report contains plenty of information about possible risks and response options, there are no clear recommendations for action nor funding from the government to implement the plan.

A paragraph in the introduction to the report makes that clear:

“Detailed decisions about the implementation and timing of actions will be made in line with the normal government policy and budget processes.”

Nonetheless, the release of the plan for public consultation, after several years’ wait, has been welcomed by local MP Jordan Crugnale, Bass Coast Councillor Leticia Laing and Philip Heath of the South Gippsland Conservation Society.

“SGCS welcomes the release of the draft Resilience Plan and encourages community members to have their say through the on-line survey,” said Mr Heath, who is monitoring the Cape-to-Cape project for the group.

“Based on a very preliminary review, the draft plan outlines a comprehensive framework for staged coastal adaptation actions over the next 50 and more years,” he said.

“Meanwhile, SGCS continues to advocate for urgent action on the number one immediate threat to Inverloch, namely protection of the remaining dunes at the surf beach.”

A key aspect of the report is a table which sets out the percentage of area at risk (medium to high) by Planning Scheme Zones in the study areas in Bass Coast and South Gippsland, with particular emphasis on Inverloch.

It concludes that while the risk from erosion, storm/tides and even permanent inundation to public parks, recreation areas and conservation zones in Inverloch is high, just 1 per cent of General Residential Zone land in the town, that is existing houses and building blocks, will be at risk from permanent inundation through to at least 2100, indicating that modest engineering solutions may be all that’s needed.

But it doesn’t mean there’s no risk at all from erosion and storm surge combined with predicted high tides.

“Presently, around 13% of Inverloch’s general residential areas are at medium to high risk from coastal hazards, increasing to about 15% with 0.8m SLR by 2100,” according to the report.

“For South Gippsland, at risk roads include Inverloch-Venus Bay Road both between Venus Bay and Tarwin Lower, and north of Tarwin Lower township. Sections of this key access road are increasingly impacted at and beyond 0.2 m SLR (2040 onwards), potentially cutting access to these townships. Tides will regularly inundate over 3 km of roads within South Gippsland, once 0.8 m SLR is reached (by 2100),” in other excerpts from the plan.

The draft plan is open for public comment for 28 days on the Engage Vic website. Go to https://engage.vic.gov.au/cape-cape-resilience-project

Bass MP Jordan Crugnale

Bass MP Jordan Crugnale issued the following statement ahead of the release of the Cape to Cape plan last week.

The Allan Labor Government is inviting communities across Bass Coast and South Gippsland to help shape the future of Victoria’s coastal through the Cape to Cape Resilience Plan.

Minister for Environment Steve Dimopoulos today released the draft Cape to Cape Resilience Plan for public consultation.

Member for Bass Jordan Crugnale is encouraging everyone to participate in the consultation and share their feedback on the plan. The coastline between Cape Paterson and Cape Liptrap has faced significant erosion in recent years, putting local assets, infrastructure and cherished community values at risk.

The Inverloch Regional and Strategic Partnership (RaSP) is a collection of ten agencies including Parks Victoria, local councils, South Gippsland Water, Traditional Owners and other coastal land managers that is working with the community to deliver the draft Cape to Cape Resilience Project. Developed over nearly three years, the plan is the result of extensive collaboration with local residents, business owners, tourists, environmental and community groups to create a strategic roadmap for building the resilience of coastal areas across Inverloch, Venus Bay and Anderson Inlet.

This innovative coastal adaptation project brings together scientific research, technical assessments and community priorities to assesses current conditions and predict future changes - including rising sea levels, coastal flooding and erosion between Cape Paterson to Cape Liptrap.

The consultation process gives community the opportunity to consider a number of options, ranging from dune and vegetation restoration to major engineering initiatives such as beach renourishment and structures to reduce the impact of coastal hazard risks.

Since 2014, the Labor Government has invested more than $140 million in marine and coastal environmental projects to help ensure the future health of Victoria’s cherished coastal areas. Consultation is open from Friday, August 23 to Sunday, September 22. For more information visit engage.vic.gov.au/cape-cape-resilience-project

Cr Laing welcomes the plan

Bass Coast Councillor Leticia Laing, who was recently critical of the State Government over the delays in releasing both the Cape to Cape Resilience Plan and the Distinctive Areas and Landscapes Plan, especially as it relates to settlement boundaries at Cape Paterson and other coastal towns in Bass Coast, has nonetheless been supportive of the release of the Cape to Cape plan.

“I’m delighted the government has finally released the report for public consultation. While it’s a hefty document, it shows the huge amount of work put into the data and detail. What we need next is funding to support the recommendations to ensure Inverloch and our coastline is well managed under the threat of coastal erosion.

Federal government funding

On Friday, November 4, 2022, the then Federal Minister for Emergency Management Senator the Hon Murray Watt and Assistant Minister for Climate Change and Energy Senator Jenny McAllister made an announcement that $3.3 million had been committed to the Cape to Cape Resilience Project on-ground works.

This project aims to “reduce disaster risk to critical infrastructure and services for the Inverloch township and surrounding region”.

How this funding has been or will be used to address risks at Inverloch is unclear.

As part of a $50 million allocation for 34 projects nationwide “to further strengthen communities and local economies against the risks and impacts of disasters”, the South Gippsland Shire Coastal also received $150,000 to conduct a Levee Review and undertake Infrastructure Planning.

“This project will incorporate a coastal levees assessment with disaster risk mitigation and adaptation planning, aligned to progressing regional adaptation for communities and primary industries.”

See details: https://nema.gov.au/50-million-coastal-erosion-4November