Seawall repairs to start at Portarlington

WORKS to repair Portarlington’s ageing seawall are due to start in coming weeks after it was classified as being in a poor to very poor condition.

The 80-year-old structure that protects the cliffs east of the Portarlington harbour has been subject to severe erosion and storm damage and a coastal engineers review prepared for the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning (DELWP) in 2020 found major defects in the wall.

The assessment identified significant sections of failed concrete footings, eroded mortar, and weathered concrete wave deflectors and capping. DELWP will soon begin interim works to repair the defects and install temporary rock bags to mitigate risks from the cliff at the eastern end of the seawall, citing high public safety concerns.

It was also a recommendation from the coastal engineer to DELWP that a new rock revetment be built in front of the seawall, however when the department put the proposal to the community there was pushback to the plan.

Among the views expressed in feedback were that although the wall is not officially listed as of historic importance, it is deemed to be of local significance and valued by the community.
More than half of the survey respondents also expressed concern about walking access through the area and maintaining the option of walking in front of, or around, the seawall.

DELWP regional manager Frances Northeast said the planned works “will help to keep the community safe and keep the seawall from further erosion and damage,” but the department has warned that this section of coast is under growing strain.

“Studies confirm this part of the coast is under increasing pressure with more storm events and rising sea levels,” DELWP noted during its community feedback in 2020.

Ms Northeast described the coastline as a dynamic environment that is constantly changing “through impacts associated with climate change”.

The works are expected to be completed by December this year and are being undertaken in consultation with Wadawurrung Traditional Owners and Bellarine Bayside Committee of Management.

The community is being asked to follow signage and temporary fencing along the foreshore while construction is under way