Wye River erosion report released

OPTIONS ranging from ongoing sand management to a permanent rock seawall are being considered as solutions to erosion worries at Wye River.

The state government has released its review into long-term management options for the Wye River beach, which is now open for public consultation.

The report is part of the state’s coastal adaption plan in response to coastal erosion fears at the river estuary, which has rapidly shifted east since 2019 and eroded the dune directly below the Wye River Surf Lifesaving Club.

The dune has lost 15 metres due to erosion since 2019, directly threatening the surf club and an adjacent caravan park.

Erosion caused hundreds of thousands of dollars of damage to infrastructure following storms during the past winter.

The state government has since installed interim measures including a geotextile seawall and sandbag groynes to protect the dune, and also replaced a beach access ramp that collapsed mid-last year.

Environmental engineering consultant Water Technology produced the report on behalf of the Great Ocean Road Coast and Parks Authority, outlining changes to river flows at the beach, evaluated potential causes and provided recommendations for a permanent fix.

The report favoured a low-involvement sand management solution, which would shift sand from the estuary’s west bank back to the east to steer river flows away from the eroding bank.

Other options on the table included permeant rock groynes and a more-than-$1 million rock seawall, but both methods would negatively impact on beach amenity.

The report also presents a “managed retreat” option, which would shift facilities including the lifesaving club further inland to avoid a potential dune collapse – however it provides little detail about specifics like a location and costs for a new club.

Engineers assessed potential causes of the river migration, including long-term climate impacts, the 2015 bushfires at Wye River and recent stormwater changes, but could not conclude which, if any, was the primary reason.

The report is now available on the state government’s website, where there is also an online survey for residents to submit their views on potential solutions until March 4.

The government is set to publicly release the findings of its consultation later that month, before deciding on its next steps in April.

The report is available online.