Community shapes design of estuary walk works

MORE than 300 public submissions will help form the final design option for the Barwon Estuary Walk rehabilitation works in Ocean Grove.
In April and May, the Barwon Coast Committee of Management and the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning (DELWP) held an online community consultation program for a potential revetment along the Barwon River.
The program generated 1,000 visits to the project website, and 328 comments were provided for the three proposals along the pathway which fronts the Riverview Family Caravan Park on the south side of the river between Ocean Grove and
Barwon Heads.
Barwon Coast and DELWP will incorporate this community feedback into future detailed design and planning work for the area and communicate with the local community as the project progresses.
“We want to avoid coastal erosion at this popular stretch of riverbank and seeking out the community’s preferences for an upgrade of this site is the first step in that process,’’ Barwon Coast chief executive officer Garry McPike said.
The three options for the works presented for consideration were:
Option 1: Existing revetment is repaired with extra concrete and rocks. An additional low seawall constructed on the river side of the path, where possible (approximately 80 per cent of pathway). A raised pathway built where construction of seawall is not possible (20 per cent of pathway)
Option 2: A new interlocked stone revetment. A raised pathway will be built along the entire
river length
Option 3: Revegetated riverbank with soil improvement works and a shallow slope to river. A raised pathway will be built along the entire length.
A summary of the community feedback is available to view online at barwoncoast.com.au/revetmentwhatweheard.