Storm-damaged beach ramp still months from reopening

ACCESS to Torquay Surf Beach via the ramp near the surf lifesaving club is unlikely to be restored in time for the coming summer, but the Great Ocean Road Coast and Parks Authority (GORCAPA) is hoping to complete repairs within the next six months.

The ramp has been out of commission for almost a year, after the ramp, Torquay SLSC concourse and surf beach seawall sustained significant storm damage between September and October.

Wild winds, high tides and storm surges lashed the coast over this period, resulting in flooding, coastal erosion, and structural damage to the ramp and seawall, prompting closures in November.

At the time, GORCAPA said it had engaged “a specialist engineering consultancy with expertise in marine structures and environmental conditions” to both assess the damage and determine remediation options.

In a bid to prevent further erosion to the seawall, 80 rock bags, each weighing more than a tonne, were brought in to reinforce the front of the wall in December, a measure aimed at providing temporary protection while a longer-term plan was developed.

 

However, it is understood the already compromised beach access ramp may have sustained further damage during these works, with trucks and excavators using the ramp to transport the rock bags onto the beach.

A GORCAPA spokesperson said the land manager was working on detailed designs to repair both the ramp and seawall.

“Planning and designs for the ramp will be prioritised ahead of the seawall, which is more complex.

“Our intention is to finalise the design within the next few months and have repairs complete within six months.

“If we are unable to have works on the ramp complete by summer, we will put in place alternate access for the club similar to last year.”

The spokesperson confirmed GORCAPA was to meet with the Torquay SLSC this week to discuss the plan and welcomed its input as repairs progress.

 

Repairs to the seawall are expected to take closer to 12 months, with the rock bags to remain in place while this work is underway.

Torquay SLSC president Matt Carmichael said the club was again anticipating “major impacts” to its season and the public’s access to the beach, with the ongoing closure of the ramp set to restrict wheelchair access and increase the distance the club has to take to get its surf lifesaving equipment onto the beach.

He acknowledged the repairs were “taking longer than expected”.

“GORCAPA have their work cut out for them and I believe that their intent is to deliver a good outcome for the community that increases beach safety and the level of access to the community in the quickest time frame they can,” he said.