MUCH has been claimed and written over the past 12 months about the Surf Beach erosion issue in Inverloch.
Community focus has understandably been on the immediate risks to the coastline with particular attention on the risk to the Inverloch Surf Lifesaving Club’s assets, public infrastructure and the 500-plus surrounding homes.
Calls from sections of the community have been loudly made for quick and permanent solutions that save the surf lifesaving club and to protect the homes in the vicinity of the Inverloch Surf Beach.
Such solutions have been proposed by those groups without technical assessment by coastal engineering experts and come with potential risks, according to a statement this week by the Inverloch Coastal Advisory Network (I*CAN).
They have revealed that the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA) will soon award a contract for Beach Nourishment and Dune Reconstruction along a one-kilometre section of the surf beach involving the equivalent of between 11,000 and 15,000 truckloads of sand and additional protection in front of the surf lifesaving club.
But I*CAN is asking what actions need commitment to afford Inverloch protection from the consequences of future rising sea levels and more frequent/intense storm surges?
And how long can the dune construction works be expected to last before more work is needed?
Inverloch Coastal Advisory Network is a community group comprising representatives from Inverloch Tourism Association, Inverloch Surf Lifesaving Club, South Gippsland Conservation Society and two community representatives.
I*CAN has previously provided DEECA with suggestions for longer-term adaptation measures and continues to advocate solutions of most benefit to the future of Inverloch.
I*CAN spokesperson Glenn Morris said, “We support the initial beach renourishment and dune reconstruction work about to take place.
“It must, however, be seen for what it is – it is not a long-term solution but only a first step on a pathway of works needed over the next 20-plus years to ensure long-term protection of our town and community assets.”
As a starting point, he said, I*CAN is calling for a five-year plan for Inverloch.
“No detailed five-year plan has been committed by government and so it is no surprise that community anxiety has set in,” said Mr Morris.
“I*CAN is therefore starting the ball rolling by proposing a five-year plan that sets our town up for long-term protection,” he said.
The I*CAN five-year plan (represented on the diagram below) has several critical activities:
• Put in place a large-scale dune revegetation program.
• Assessing/developing designs for longer-term adaptation measures (including a terminal barrier) which protect at-risk housing and infrastructure.
• Ongoing major beach renourishment to be undertaken in conjunction with selected longer-term measures.
• Managing the Anderson Inlet channel location to assist in retaining sand on the Surf beach.
• Assess the true cost/practicality of retreat as an economic comparator to long-term protection.
Diagram details
“This is a considered plan developed with input from qualified/experienced coastal engineering advisors. The plan is flexible and allows for fast-tracking the plan should climate conditions require,” said Mr Morris.
“I*CAN is looking for committed funding to support a long-term program of works to provide assurance to the community that protection of our township is underway. No such committed funding exists at this stage beyond the initial dune work starting in spring,” he said.
“We will start by galvanising our community behind the five-year plan through a community engagement program. We then plan on advocating to all levels of the State Government and Opposition for this five-year plan to be funded and implemented.”