Where is the Inverloch risk report?

GOVERNMENTS love to be able to “clear the decks” before an election, to sweep all those embarrassing, potentially damaging issues, under the carpet, and to avoid releasing reports or addressing issues that might prove controversial.

Having promised to release the resilience and adaption plan for Inverloch, detailing where the threats exist and how authorities plan to deal with the three issues of beach erosion, storm surge and permanent inundation as a result of sea level rise in mid-August, the report is yet to surface.

As well as saying how authorities plan to deal with these problems, some of which are likely to impact residential areas in the town, especially from 2040 onwards, including but not limited to the use of hard-engineering solutions such as rock walls, vertical masonry walls and even breakwaters, the report will also inform the preparation of the important Neighbourhood Character strategy by the Bass Coast Shire Council.

Planning rules and restrictions form a major part of how the threats to Inverloch’s coastline and adjacent assets are to be managed.

So, where is the report? And what about the funding needed to address the issues, some of which need more funding now?

The State Government, and all its departments and authorities, go into caretaker mode ahead of the November 26 election at 6pm on Tuesday, November 1 which is little more than a month away.

Among other things, the caretaker period seeks to ensure that government does not take any action that will bind an incoming government or limit its freedom of action, including implementing major policy decisions that are likely to commit an incoming government to significant cost.

In other words, this report can’t wait. Action and reassurance is required now.