What to do about Inverloch’s erosion

SOME say build a rock wall in front of the Inverloch Surf Lifesaving Club and do it now.

Others are dead against “hard” engineering solutions such as rock walls, breakwaters and groynes for fear the beach amenity will be lost.

But one question remains to be answered – will it work?

Jordan Crugnale MP has been asked for comment:

“I have visited the surf club and beach area a number of times and met with the club representatives.

“They are a very active club who want clarity, protections, timelines and an assurance we are doing everything we can. They are in constant communication with Council as the land managers as well.

“The Cape to Cape (C2C) plan very clearly outlines the present day pathway being nature-based dune enhancement and restoration which is an engineering solution and this is what is being done and the designs tender process is also underway. This is being funded as part of the $3.3 million federal grant we got back in 2022 under their Coastal and Estuarine Risk Mitigation Program.

“The interim protection structures installed in 2019 at the Surf Beach have functioned as predicted, protecting the land and assets immediately behind them. However, as we know and see, at each end of the geotextile and rock seawalls there is significant erosion.

“The Inverloch Inter-agency group is working together, responding to the erosion, actively monitoring the area, are on-site, and will be led by the data, modelling, recent drone surveys and marine and coastal experts if there needs to be further work on the interim protection structures outside of what is being done and planned.

“DEECA are working with Bass Coast Shire Council, Department of Transport and Planning, Parks Victoria, Heritage Victoria and the West Gippsland Catchment Management Authority to respond to the erosion at Inverloch Surf Beach.

“With so many opinions going around on what will work and what won’t, I ask people to refer to the C2C plan where the adaption pathways are clearly listed, are really informative, speak to the dynamic coastline we have and the many engineering options from dune restoration to seawalls are all mapped out with pros and cons, with photo montages and backed by the 
modelling, data and technical studies.

“The report also very importantly, speaks to the community engagement we did about what people valued about our area – with the surf beach, it was the beach.

“This is what needs to be messaged out and the local media have an important role here to inform our community.

“We looked at rock walls, groynes, reefs, dredging, breakwaters and assessed each and they all have a significant impact on for example the beach amenity, sand movement, access with steep sloping dunes, with potential impacts to Anderson Inlet entrance and pushing erosion further east. People need to be mindful that this is the Bass Strait, the ocean bedrock is shallow which is why the sand moves around so much and we also have a very dynamic estuary – this is complex.

“I have asked the Minister’s office to assist in bringing together DEECA, Council, Watertech and key stakeholder representatives from the Surf Club, ITA and Sth Gippsland Conservation Society as a start to outline the immediate works plan, go through the adaptation measures, timelines so we can also reassure our community we are continuing to be proactive and providing real-time information.

“Community members have spoken about not wanting to be like Portsea which saw rocks and sandbags put in and now has no beach. The C2C engagement work we did with community is that they want the beach.

“The Inverloch working group which comprises of agencies including DEECA, Bass Coast Shire Council, Department of Transport and Planning are all working together to respond to the erosion, and

I have also kept the Minister and his office updated on the concerns being raised by the Club in particular as too community sentiment.”

Ms Crugnale has also penned a letter to locals (edited for space):

Dear Inverlochians

This weather has brought significant erosion along our coastline, especially at the Surf Beach area. It is described as a one-in-10-year storm surge event due to the high winds, waves and elevated ocean levels.

I want to acknowledge how distressing it is to our community with more bad weather to come. The visuals across the community, media and Surf Club socials are alarming and have been coupled with the Amazon reveal which has certainly drawn a crowd.

Heritage Victoria have been onsite and a big thank you to the local Amazon 1863 Project Group who have been there making sure it is protected, appreciated and safeguarded.

We are taking this very seriously, I have been speaking with the Enviro Minister, his office, DEECA, Council to ensure everyone is working together, being proactive and actioning all that is necessary to protect the club, assets and make the area as safe as possible. We are.

As many have seen, Bass Coast Council as the land manager are currently undertaking immediate safety works around the Surf Life Saving club. 

I want to assure everyone that there is action and DEECA is part of the Inverloch Inter-agency Working Group which is helping to coordinate these works.

Further renourishment works are planned with dune reconstruction designs currently in the tender process.

Renourishment works are funded by a $3.3 million grant we got from the Australian Government’s Coastal and Estuarine Risk Mitigation Program in 2022.

In ITA’s media statement they mention the need for ‘dune strengthening alongside sand replenishment’ which is exactly what is being done and being planned.

The C2C plan has had a lot of consultation since 2021 and importantly input into what people value and cherish about where we live. It is all on the website and includes hazard maps, FAQs, photo montages of different treatments canvassed and more.

Go to: marineandcoasts.vic.gov.au/coastal-programs/cape-to-cape-resilience-project

For Inverloch Surf Beach:

• Respondents want some form of action, with non-intervention not seen as appropriate.

• Dune and beach renourishment was seen as appropriate, but with a preference for no groynes.

• Hard engineering options such as seawalls, breakwaters and groynes were seen as less appropriate.

• Planned relocation of assets and/or changed land use and infrastructure upgrades/redesign were seen as appropriate.

There has been some confusion also with the C2C Plan and people saying that 2040 is too far away for action. In the image the darker purple is present day, the lighter purple is 2040. What we are seeing is within the modelled hazard zone and the report is not out of date. The report on page 58 details the pathway.

The interim protection structures installed in 2019 at the Surf Beach have functioned as predicted, protecting the land and assets immediately behind them. However, at each end of the geotextile and rock seawalls there is significant erosion.

DEECA are working with Bass Coast Shire Council, Department of Transport and Planning, Parks Victoria, Heritage Victoria and the West Gippsland Catchment Management Authority to respond to the erosion at Inverloch Surf Beach.

The Cape to Cape Resilience Plan is a long-term strategy, encompassing present day conditions, hazards and technical assessments, and predicted changes such as rising sea levels, coastal flooding and the impact of erosion between Cape Paterson to Cape Liptrap for the decades to come.

It’s really vital that communities between Cape Paterson to Cape Liptrap share their feedback on the Cape to Cape Resilience Plan. Go to engage.vic.gov.au/cape-cape-resilience-project

“DEECA and all the relevant agencies are working together to address the erosion in Inverloch, and I will have more to say soon as to the works planned,” said Ms Crugnale.