IN STATE parliament on Wednesday, May 28, the Nationals’ Melina Bath highlighted the failure of the State Government’s effort to protect Silverleaves and Inverloch communities from coastal erosion.
On behalf of the community, Ms Bath demanded urgent action to protect homes and the Inverloch Surf Life Saving Club following the first high tides of the season.
Ms Bath took Labor’s Minister for Environment Steve Dimopoulos to task for not implementing the geotextile revetment recommended by the departmental report for Silverleaves.
“In March, Minister Dimopoulos and Member for Bass, Jordan Crugnale spruiked ‘we are going to do really important coastal mitigation works to make sure our beaches and coastal areas are safe and accessible for everyone’.
“Just six weeks after the department installed rock-filled bags along the beachfront, high tides have already penetrated the porous mitigation works, putting homes in peril.
“In addition, threatened by eroding sand, the Inverloch Surf Life Saving Club is hanging by a thread – sandbags are dislodged, and the tide is metres from the building.” Ms Bath condemned Labor’s years of inaction and band-aid solutions.
“There are still high tides ahead, and the community has no confidence in Labor’s ability to implement effective measures.
“Bass Coast residents are utterly dismayed and have contacted me desperately seeking tangible action as the water threatens their yards.
“Locals deserve answers from the Allan Government, not the same rhetoric provided to date as private and public assets are at imminent risk of being swallowed by the sea.
“Labor can’t manage money, and it certainly can’t manage coastal erosion. Bass Coast residents don’t deserve empty promises and failed fixes,” said Ms Bath.
