Authority urges safety near cliffs

THE Great Ocean Road Coast and Parks Authority (GORCAPA) is reminding locals and visitors to exercise caution around cliffs.

The authority said there had been two significant collapses in the past two months.

A section of cliff about 30m high and 60m wide collapsed onto the beach at Jarosite a fortnight ago.

This follows an earlier fall on January 6 at Soapy Rocks in Anglesea where about 5 cubic metres of cliff came down.

GORCAPA acting director of environment and coastal operations Leia Howes said we must respect the “rugged coastline” and its “unpredictability.”

These incidents highlight the reality that cliff collapses, and rock falls can happen at any time, without warning.

“It’s difficult to predict when or how big the next failure will be,” Ms Howes said, noting the upcoming Rip Curl Pro, which is just around the corner, was a stark reminder to prioritise safety.

“Tempting as it may be to jump fences for a better view or the perfect selfie, no photo is worth risking your life.

“We all have a role to play in protecting the coastline we love – please stick to designated tracks, respect wildlife, stay off the dunes, and always take your rubbish with you.”

The Authority continue to work with Parks Victoria to conduct regular geotechnical assessments of cliff areas to improve the understanding of coastal dynamics.

Safety measures are also in place including fencing and path diversions away from cliffs to prioritise safety.

For information on GORCAPA’s cliff safety campaign, head to greatoceanroadauthority.vic.gov.au/Environment/Coastal-Operations/Cliff-Risk