Save the Great Ocean Road or protect the beaches? Authorities and locals face growing erosion problem

In some parts of the beach, the dunes have hollowed out and are on the verge of collapse.

Darryl said building a strong seawall risks damaging the pristine nature of the beach.

“The beach itself will lose its visual quality,” he said. “And it could simply shift the problem.”

According to figures from the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning, 50 centimeters of land has disappeared from Devil’s Elbow at the edge of Eastern View each year for the past 30 years.

Francis Northeast, the division’s regional manager, said the $2 million project at Eastern View would include a 90-meter rock wall at Devil’s Elbow parking lot and a wall west of Memorial Arch on Great Ocean Road. said it will include lock bag protection for other parking lots in

She said these works offered the best opportunity to protect the environment and slow the accelerating erosion.

“Living with a changing climate means coastal erosion is happening faster than before, and it’s important to act now,” Northeast said.

More walls are planned in other areas, including Apollo Bay.

Loading

But David Kennedy, a coastal erosion expert at the University of Melbourne, says solid structures, including seawalls, can double erosion on both sides of the structure.

He said that walls often repel waves rather than absorbing their force and trapping sand.

“Eventually, we’re going to start seeing beach declines as well,” he said.

Kennedy said authorities now have to choose between protecting a portion of the coastline or protecting the Great Ocean Road. And he argues that it is inevitable that the vulnerable section of the road will eventually have to be moved.

“You really have to think about managed retreats,” he said.

Charlotte Allen, president of the Aireys Inlet and District Association, said plans to build a wall to prevent erosion along the coastline show authorities are protecting the road at the expense of the environment. rice field.

Allen, who also chairs the Great Ocean Road Community Network, agreed that the government should consider moving parts of the road.

“It’s an option worth considering before they start ravaging the coastline,” she said.

Erosion is plaguing the coastline landslide In the ocean. Recently, large sheets of rock and sediment have been sloughed off the cliffs.on new year’s eve man died Near Bells Beach where part of the cliff has collapsed.

Climate change is exacerbating the problem.

Great Ocean Road Coastal Parks Authority Chief Executive Officer Jody Seiser said:

in the meantime Department has no plans to move the Great Ocean RoadAllen said it is under serious threat from erosion at Apollo Bay, the Wye River and Skenes Creek.

Le Grew, professor of architecture and former vice chancellor at the University of Tasmania, said other options used abroad, such as sand-trapping fences and shoreline feeding, should also be considered.

The Morning Edition newsletter is your guide to the day’s most important and interesting articles, analysis and insights. SIGN UP HERE.