SANDBAGGED

Locals disappointed with outcome of Point Lonsdale beach study

COMMUNITY members fighting to save Point Lonsdale beach from erosion say they are disappointed with the findings of a sand management project released earlier this week.

The project, conducted by the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning (DELWP), Borough of Queenscliffe and Parks Victoria, aimed to determine what direction might be required for the future management of the beach.

DELWP senior environmental planner Frances Northeast said the project highlighted a variety of community preferences for how sand was managed, but said there was no immediate risk to public safety, so DELWP would not be investing in new infrastructure for the bight at this time.

The Save Point Lonsdale Front Beach group described DELWP’s final report in three words – disappointing, disappointing, disappointing.

“Disappointing it took 18 months to be completed from when we first requested it,” the group stated.

“Disappointing that it didn’t make a specific recommendation in line with what those educated on the matter were pushing. Disappointing that they have said they have no funding immediately available to construct any new groynes, and instead have handballed the responsibility to other stakeholders.

“If they were going to waste our time like this, they should have told us up front, so we could have approached other parties on day one to get a solution.”

Ms Northeast said the project had improved the agencies’ and community’s understanding of the complexities of engineered and natural shorelines in a high-wave-energy environment. “It has also raised the need for more consistent, long-term data to improve our understanding of how sand volumes change along the Bight and the interaction with built infrastructure.”

She said DELWP would continue monitoring and maintenance of the seawall and groynes as part of its coastal asset protection program.

“As there is no immediate risk to public safety, DELWP will not be investing in new infrastructure for the Bight at this time.

“Any future work conducted by DELWP will be evaluated under our coastal asset protection program, which prioritises coastal risks across the region and state.

“Input from the community was an important and valued part of the review.”

She said the borough had indicated it would continue working with the community and agencies to monitor beach sand levels, and advocate for improvements in the future.

A copy of the summary document is available at engage.vic.gov.au/lonsdale-bight or at the borough’s offices at 50 Learmonth Street, Queenscliff.