Cartoon by Natasha Williams-Novak Half an hour after declaring a climate emergency, our councillors voted to proceed with a $2 million concrete path alongside a beach that’s receded 40 metres in six years.
By Ed Thexton
ON WEDNESDAY, August 21, I went to my first council meeting. Like most of those in the gallery, I was there for two matters: first, the declaring of a climate emergency for Bass Coast Shire; and second, the less globally connected issue of the Surf Parade Inverloch path.
By Ed Thexton
ON WEDNESDAY, August 21, I went to my first council meeting. Like most of those in the gallery, I was there for two matters: first, the declaring of a climate emergency for Bass Coast Shire; and second, the less globally connected issue of the Surf Parade Inverloch path.
| I had spent the preceding evening with our local Scouts where I was given a refresher in the scientific method. I knew Scouts had a broad remit but I was delighted to see that was one of the precursors for a science badge. The agile minds of the young Scouts were all over it in 20 minutes. What is the significance of these seemingly unrelated juxtaposed evenings? The climate emergency declaration is underpinned by the scientific method; the decision to construct the path is counter to the scientific method. The concrete path isn’t creating anything new; it is merely formalising parking and access along Surf Parade that is already available. The sticking point is that it is taking dune vegetation to do it at a time when the dunes on Inverloch beach are rapidly eroding – some 40 metres in the past six years. | The scientific method I’ll admit to resorting to everyman’s oracle - Google: “An empirical method of acquiring knowledge that has characterised the development of science since the 17th century. It involves careful observation, applying rigorous scepticism about what is observed, given that cognitive assumptions can distort how one interprets the observation. It involves formulating hypotheses, via induction, based on such observations; experimental and measurement based testing of deductions drawn from the hypotheses and refinement (or elimination) of the hypotheses based on the experimental findings.” Wikipedia |
In the notice of motion on declaring a climate emergency, Cr Michael Whelan cited the immediate threat of beach erosion as one reason why “business as usual” could no longer work. Councillors voted 7-0 (with two abstentions) to declare a climate emergency, a decision acclaimed from the public gallery.
Yet half an hour later the same councillors voted 5-4 to proceed with a $2 million concrete path on Surf Parade, as recommended by council officers. Straight back to business as usual!
Come with me to the sand dunes of the Inverloch surf beach. On one side we have the might of Bass Strait. Twice every 24 hours, 365 days a year, waves crash onto the beach. By increments they sweep away the unconsolidated sand of the base of the dune, creeping closer to Surf Parade. Six metres of dune has been lost each year since 2013. Now the waves are not much more than 15-20 metres from the rear wall of the Inverloch Surf Club building.
Who would have thought it would come to this? Not the state government department that approved the location of the surf club; nor the council; nor the surf club members who toiled to raise the cash. However, this is the undeniable here and now.
Recall that definition of the scientific method: It involves careful observation, applying rigorous scepticism about what is observed, given that cognitive assumptions can distort how one interprets the observation.
The planned new path runs between the sand dunes and Surf Parade. At any one of the now closed entrances to the beach you can pace the distance from the sand cliff drop to the edge of the proposed path. It’s so close you can do it about three minutes, but be careful.
I remember the community consultation meeting called by the council to discuss the path. At the same time as the council was proposing to spend $2 million on a concrete path, ABC television was alerting the rest of the world to the exceptional erosion occurring here. It’s not as if they didn’t have a choice of location to portray beach erosion – it’s happening all the way from Geraldton to Maroochydore – but Inverloch surf beach has become the unforgettable image.
The great weakness of government is that it’s a slow ship to turn. Repeatedly we witness true leadership being generated by the community, often driven by a small band of citizens gathering around the vision and determination of one individual. No organisation can match the mobility of an individual.
Returning to the paradox: the always and ongoing as opposed to the reactive; the nimble community and the steady as she goes of governing; the infinite stream of good ideas and the making of sound decisions on governance.
In the case of beach erosion, the community is good at picking holes in suspect logic and streaming out the ideas. In this case the South Gippsland Conservation Society raised $90,000 to investigate what was happening to Inverloch surf beach. They employed independent, world class, accredited scientists to assess and offer guidance. That is, they used the scientific method.
This report was given to the council to assist in decision-making on the path. If my memory is correct, there was no mention of it at last week’s council meeting, except for a suggestion of bias. The process of government was unwavering. Officers recommended proceeding with the path they had designed, with no qualifications.
It is not as though there are no engineering alternatives. Consolidated gravel and sands are used in parts of the Main Yarra Trail, because that‘s the best solution for paths subject to flooding.
There is also the issue of governance. At least one aspect of good governance is placing fit-for-purpose facilities in fit-for-purpose locations. As a principle, you should avoid placing long-lived infrastructure in an at-risk situation. I’m no engineer, but observation suggests concrete paths are designed to last more than 20 years.
There are any number of deserving localities within the shire where $2 million would deliver an asset of lasting value.
Perhaps the real value in councillors declaring a climate emergency is to signal to those within council that it’s time for anything but business as usual.
Yet half an hour later the same councillors voted 5-4 to proceed with a $2 million concrete path on Surf Parade, as recommended by council officers. Straight back to business as usual!
Come with me to the sand dunes of the Inverloch surf beach. On one side we have the might of Bass Strait. Twice every 24 hours, 365 days a year, waves crash onto the beach. By increments they sweep away the unconsolidated sand of the base of the dune, creeping closer to Surf Parade. Six metres of dune has been lost each year since 2013. Now the waves are not much more than 15-20 metres from the rear wall of the Inverloch Surf Club building.
Who would have thought it would come to this? Not the state government department that approved the location of the surf club; nor the council; nor the surf club members who toiled to raise the cash. However, this is the undeniable here and now.
Recall that definition of the scientific method: It involves careful observation, applying rigorous scepticism about what is observed, given that cognitive assumptions can distort how one interprets the observation.
The planned new path runs between the sand dunes and Surf Parade. At any one of the now closed entrances to the beach you can pace the distance from the sand cliff drop to the edge of the proposed path. It’s so close you can do it about three minutes, but be careful.
I remember the community consultation meeting called by the council to discuss the path. At the same time as the council was proposing to spend $2 million on a concrete path, ABC television was alerting the rest of the world to the exceptional erosion occurring here. It’s not as if they didn’t have a choice of location to portray beach erosion – it’s happening all the way from Geraldton to Maroochydore – but Inverloch surf beach has become the unforgettable image.
The great weakness of government is that it’s a slow ship to turn. Repeatedly we witness true leadership being generated by the community, often driven by a small band of citizens gathering around the vision and determination of one individual. No organisation can match the mobility of an individual.
Returning to the paradox: the always and ongoing as opposed to the reactive; the nimble community and the steady as she goes of governing; the infinite stream of good ideas and the making of sound decisions on governance.
In the case of beach erosion, the community is good at picking holes in suspect logic and streaming out the ideas. In this case the South Gippsland Conservation Society raised $90,000 to investigate what was happening to Inverloch surf beach. They employed independent, world class, accredited scientists to assess and offer guidance. That is, they used the scientific method.
This report was given to the council to assist in decision-making on the path. If my memory is correct, there was no mention of it at last week’s council meeting, except for a suggestion of bias. The process of government was unwavering. Officers recommended proceeding with the path they had designed, with no qualifications.
It is not as though there are no engineering alternatives. Consolidated gravel and sands are used in parts of the Main Yarra Trail, because that‘s the best solution for paths subject to flooding.
There is also the issue of governance. At least one aspect of good governance is placing fit-for-purpose facilities in fit-for-purpose locations. As a principle, you should avoid placing long-lived infrastructure in an at-risk situation. I’m no engineer, but observation suggests concrete paths are designed to last more than 20 years.
There are any number of deserving localities within the shire where $2 million would deliver an asset of lasting value.
Perhaps the real value in councillors declaring a climate emergency is to signal to those within council that it’s time for anything but business as usual.