Landslip prompts safety measures along Great Ocean Road

AN EMBANKMENT in Fairhaven has again experienced visible ground movement in recent weeks, with significant cracks appearing across the 100-metre slope.

The affected area – near the corner of the Great Ocean Road and Lialeeta Road, just west of the Painkalac Creek Bridge – has long concerned local residents, who have continued to question the effectiveness of the remediation works carried out across the embankment in recent years.

Temporary fencing and safety barriers have been installed along the impacted stretch of the Great Ocean Road. These are expected to remain in place for several months. Photo: ELLIE CLARINGBOLD

The embankment was cleared of vegetation in 2020 by Forest Fire Management Victoria (FFMVic) to create a strategic fuel break, as part of a joint bushfire risk management program conducted in partnership with the Surf Coast Shire and CFA.

It is a move many locals believe has led to ongoing collapses and landslips along the embankment.

FFMVic deputy chief fire officer Scott Turner did not respond directly to queries about whether removing the vegetation was now considered a mistake, instead stating the aim of the works was to “reduce the fire risk along the Great Ocean Road” as Lialeeta Road is “a main thoroughfare for the Fairhaven community in the event of an emergency”.

Locals have been raising concerns about the safety of the embankment since vegetation was stripped from it in 2020, as part of a strategic fuel break network. A group of local residents are pictured here at the site in 2022 after debris from a landslip spilled over the retained wall. Photo: TIM LAMACRAFT

Gabby Spiller, the Surf Coast Shire’s acting general manager of placemaking and environment, said a preliminary geotechnical assessment of the site indicated the most recent landslip had been caused by excessive soil moisture and poor drainage.

“Works conducted after the initial landslip this year, including hydro mulching to revegetate the embankment, did not germinate due to dry conditions,” she said.

While several residential properties back onto the impacted embankment, Ms Spiller said current assessments did not indicate any risk to nearby properties.

“The site is being actively monitored, with temporary fencing in place to ensure public safety.

A 2017 image of the embankment shows the extent of vegetation that was removed to create the fuel break. Photo: GOOGLE MAPS

“Council is assessing drainage improvement options and plans to revegetate the embankment with native species to help stabilise the slope and reduce the moisture content in the soil.”

This revegetation, she said, will begin once the initial drainage improvement works are completed.

“Fencing and restricted footpath access will remain for several months, subject to weather and construction timelines.”