Coastal erosion campaign gains power

A PETITION calling for erosion protection works at Point Roadknight beach in Anglesea has gathered support from local state and federal MPs Richard Riordan and Dan Tehan, who have promised to deliver the appeal to their respective parliaments.

The MPs met with petitioners who are concerned about a 60-metre section of cliff face, north of the boat ramp that is separated from the recreational boating and visitor’s car park by an eroding strip of vegetation.

Petitioners believe the erosion has exposed shell middens from First Nations People and the roots of threatened species moonah trees, while local beach users say they are worried the car park is under threat.

“We’re not talking rocket science, and you see pretty simple solutions as you drive along the coast to these types of problems,” Mr Tehan told petitioners at the weekend.

“It really is just calling on the relevant authorities, and the sad reality is in today’s world, it’s just not one, it’s sort of three or four that you’ve got to deal with… I think this petition is the best way really of demonstrating where we’re at.”

Petitioners say they are frustrated the Great Ocean Road Coast and Parks Authority (GORCAPA) has consultant reports from 2015 and 2020 that include recommendations on cliff and dune system stabilisation to prevent further erosion.

“It’s my view that the shire should be more proactive and assertive with GORCAPA in looking after beach users well-being,” Anglesea Motor Yacht Club (AMYC) member Jim Tutt said.

Mr Tutt, who is a former Surf Coast Shire councillor, said AMYC, which is within metres of the cliffs, commissioned the 2015 consultant’s report with GORCAPA’s predecessor the Great Ocean Road Coast Committee.

The report recommended 168 geo-textile bags weighing up to six tonnes be stacked in front of the cliff, at an estimated project cost then of $200,000. Mr Tutt said the 2020 report made similar recommendations.

The Surf Coast Shire’s acting general manager of place making and environment Matt Taylor said climate change and weather events impact the natural environment and built assets, and the shire was working with GORCAPA on the issue.

GORCAPA planning manager Leia Howes said coastal erosion issues were “complex” and Point Roadknight is included in a Coastal Hazard Adaptation and Resilience Plan that is being developed for Anglesea and is due for release this year.

“We want to get the facts and planning done correctly to ensure anything implemented is feasible and effective into the future and doesn’t simply shift the problem elsewhere.”

To read the petition, head to surveymonkey.com/r/H5PF7M9