Renourishment works continue at Apollo Bay

THERE will be more sand renourishment works at Apollo Bay to create a temporary dune system to help stabilise the foreshore, while plans are finalised to construct new permanent coastal protection infrastructure later this year.
Sand will be sourced from south of the intended renourishment zone at Mothers Beach using deposits from recent dredging of the Apollo Bay harbour.
Work is expected to start in the middle of this month, and spotters will be on site to ensure the safety of locals and any fauna, including hooded plovers.
Thousands of cubic metres of sand have repeatedly been dumped on the beach at Apollo Bay and Marengo to counter the natural erosion in the area caused by storms, waves and wind, most recently in November 2019.
The Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning (DELWP) announced the latest renourishment last week, and cited Deakin University research that showed while renourished sand was often washed away, previous beach renourishment in the area had been an effective buffer against storm and tidal surges and has helped slow erosion and shoreline retreat.
In May, the state government announced it would invest $3 million to design and start construction of new permanent coastal protection structures to protect beaches in and around Apollo Bay and safeguard sections of the Great Ocean Road.
The specific design and location of the protection structures will be determined through detailed engineering and planning to ensure it delivers the best value for money.
Structures may include groynes, rock revetments or other appropriate options.
“Coastal erosion is a normal, naturally-occurring process and all beaches along the coast can be impacted by erosion as sand levels rise and fall,” DELWP Barwon south west regional manager Greg Leece said.
“We’re doing another round of sand carting to temporarily protect the foreshore while we start to progress work to construct the first of new permanent coastal infrastructure.
“Residents and visitors are urged to take care and observe warning signs during the works as there will be trucks moving up and down the beach.”