Upgrades to prevent coastal erosion in the borough

THE Borough of Queenscliffe has repaired erosion prevention infrastructure after wild weather battered an erosion fence and stairs.
Severe storm surges, king tides and heavy swell battered parts of Victoria earlier this month, including sea walls right throughout the Borough. The main damage suffered within the Borough of Queenscliffe municipality was at Narrows Beach, where the tidal erosion fence became broken and unstable, while wave motion caused a nearby set of timber stairs to become loose.
The council worked quickly to repair the damage promptly and in a cost-effective manner, with the whole operation estimated at around $2,000. These facilities are now better equipped to protect the coastline from damaging weather over the winter period.
“Part of what we value most about living in the Borough is its spectacular coastline and welcoming beaches. Council is focused on preserving that environment for the benefit of many generations to come,” Queenscliffe mayor Cr Ross Ebbels said.
“When dealing with acts of nature such as these increased tides, we’re always looking with one eye to the future. This means ensuring that any works are safe, sturdy, reliable and need replacing less often.”
Council is working closely with the Victorian Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning (DELWP) regarding local foreshore areas controlled by the State. The aforementioned Narrows Beach cliff face suffered further degradation and the council has approached DELWP to assess the damage.
Parks Victoria has also been engaged to protect and repair the beach and dune system between Queenscliff Pier and the ferry terminal, where high wave motions left a two-metre sand cliff at the high tide mark.