Rail trail to close as erosion eats into Kilcunda dune

A SECTION of the Bass Coast Rail Trail at Kilcunda will close from Wednesday August 26 after coastal erosion cut a further 2 metres into the dune in recent weeks.

The affected stretch runs behind the Lionel Rose car park between the Kilcunda Cemetery and the Bourne Creek Trestle Bridge.

Bass Coast Shire Council said the coastline had been eroding for some time and recent weather had accelerated it.

Beach access at the same location was closed in December last year and temporary fencing erected.

The edge of the trail now sits significantly closer to the erosion point.

The trail remains open for now but the council said conditions had reached the stage where it needed to plan for closure to ensure the ongoing safety of trail users.

Bass Coast Mayor Cr Brett Tessari said the closure was inevitable but the council had hoped it was further off.

“Coastal erosion and the effects of climate change have been battering our region, and this is just another example of it,” Cr Tessari said.

“It’s disappointing that we have to take this kind of action, it was only a few weeks ago that I was out there looking at the erosion and to see it accelerate so quickly is shocking.”

A detour will run via the staircase to the Lionel Rose car park.

It is suitable for pedestrians only and all other trail users will need to turn around at the closure point.

Signage will be installed and the council has urged anyone planning to use the trail to check the route and allow extra time.

The closure takes effect from Wednesday August 26 and will remain in place indefinitely while the council investigates options to re-route the trail.