Photos: South Gippsland Conservation Society, July 31, 2026
By Philip Heath
AFTER weeks of dredging, Inverloch Surf Beach is beginning to look like a sandy surf beach again. Completed sections of the dune renourishment project have transformed the foreshore, with wave action already starting to shape a more natural slope to the water's edge.
Beach renourishment resumed on July 16 after a 10-day break while the dredge underwent repairs. Dredging is now taking place from 6am to 6pm, six days a week.
AFTER weeks of dredging, Inverloch Surf Beach is beginning to look like a sandy surf beach again. Completed sections of the dune renourishment project have transformed the foreshore, with wave action already starting to shape a more natural slope to the water's edge.
Beach renourishment resumed on July 16 after a 10-day break while the dredge underwent repairs. Dredging is now taking place from 6am to 6pm, six days a week.
As of July 31, sand pumping had progressed west of the Surf Life Saving Club. However, a substantial volume of sand is still needed to protect the coastline between west of the Surf Club and the Wreck Creek-West Arm outlet, east of the Cape Paterson Road rock wall.
This stretch has experienced the most severe erosion over the past 12 years. Vegetated dunes and sections of Wreck Creek have been swept away, leaving Surf Parade and nearby homes increasingly vulnerable.
These factors, plus the inevitable west-to east sand drift, led to the design of this section requiring a wider renourishment profile, exceeding 60 metres adjacent to Wreck Creek-North Arm, which in turn results in a greater depth of pumped sand and an increased volume of sand required.
This stretch has experienced the most severe erosion over the past 12 years. Vegetated dunes and sections of Wreck Creek have been swept away, leaving Surf Parade and nearby homes increasingly vulnerable.
These factors, plus the inevitable west-to east sand drift, led to the design of this section requiring a wider renourishment profile, exceeding 60 metres adjacent to Wreck Creek-North Arm, which in turn results in a greater depth of pumped sand and an increased volume of sand required.
The Department of Environment Energy and Climate Action (DEECA) has reiterated its intention to complete the project in accordance with the approved design. The Inverloch Coastal Action Network – comprising the South Gippsland Conservation Society, Inverloch Surf Life Saving Club, Inverloch Tourism Association and community representatives – will meet the DEECA project team early next week to discuss progress.
Representatives of the South Gippsland Conservation Society have also inspected the works with Bass MP Jordan Crugnale.
Weather conditions have remained generally favourable, with northerly winds and low to moderate swells dominating throughout July.
Attention will soon turn to revegetating the back of the reconstructed dunes. A community planting day will be held at the Inverloch Surf Life Saving Club on August 22, with the full revegetation program to continue through spring once renourishment is complete.
The plants will help stabilise the reconstructed dunes by reducing wind erosion, trapping sand to rebuild dune structure and providing habitat for native wildlife, partially replacing habitat lost over the past 12 years.
South Gippsland Conservation Society representatives continue to work with DEECA and Bass Coast Shire Council on planning the revegetation phase of the project.
Philip Heath is leader of the South Gippsland Conservation Society's Inverloch Coastal Resilience Project.
Representatives of the South Gippsland Conservation Society have also inspected the works with Bass MP Jordan Crugnale.
Weather conditions have remained generally favourable, with northerly winds and low to moderate swells dominating throughout July.
Attention will soon turn to revegetating the back of the reconstructed dunes. A community planting day will be held at the Inverloch Surf Life Saving Club on August 22, with the full revegetation program to continue through spring once renourishment is complete.
The plants will help stabilise the reconstructed dunes by reducing wind erosion, trapping sand to rebuild dune structure and providing habitat for native wildlife, partially replacing habitat lost over the past 12 years.
South Gippsland Conservation Society representatives continue to work with DEECA and Bass Coast Shire Council on planning the revegetation phase of the project.
Philip Heath is leader of the South Gippsland Conservation Society's Inverloch Coastal Resilience Project.