From tip to coastal gem

TEN years ago, the Sentinel-Times ran a story about the state of the foreshore along the eastern side of the boat ramp; it looked like a tip.

Local resident Henry Sedelies, who had been living in his residence on the Esplanade for ten years had complained to the Bass Coast Shire Council countless times about the mess which he stated was an eyesore and a danger to beachgoers.

He first contacted the Council in 2013 to which they sent him letters and a maintenance schedule that was irrelevant to the issue.

“It is a disgrace that all the rocks, rubble and disused storm water drain now litter the once pristine foreshore,” Henry, a keen fisherman, said at the time. 

The foreshore was eroding, which was having an impact on the service road used by emergency vehicles and the adjoining grassed area used as an emergency landing spot for helicopters, and still is.

Henry called for a rock and cement wall to be built to stop the erosion and for the foreshore to be tidied up.

For twenty long years, Henry has been looking at the foreshore and the mess every day – up until very recently. 

About four weeks ago the Bass Coast Council added boulders to the foreshore which will protect the road and they cleaned up the site, adding new picnic tables and bench seats to the grassy area. 

While about two years ago aqua rock bags were also placed on the foreshore as part of a strategy to help with erosion.

Henry called the Sentinel-Times to commend the council for their recent good work. 

“I want to actually praise council for, at last, sealing the whole thing off and making it beautiful again,” he said.  

“It became unsightly and dangerous for all the residents and tourists using that area.”

“Large rough concrete rocks and an old storm water pipe made it an eyesore. It certainly looked like an Inverloch tip,” he commented.

“They have done a great job of the restoration. Congratulations to Council and their teams. You have now removed our new tip.”

The patient local has one last request of the council.

“If council could remove any of the rocks on the foreshore before Christmas that would be fantastic.”