Sign of the times

9/3/2022

By Catherine Watson

Clearing vegetation for the extension of Inverloch’s shared pathway revealed this archaeological find: a sign erected by Bass Coast Shire Council warning against the clearing of vegetation, obviously in the wake of illegal clearing by residents who wanted a sea view.

“Foreshore vegetation plays an integral role in stabilising the dune system from wind and wave action,” the sign reads in part.

Exactly what the South Gippsland Conservation Society has been telling the council in regard to removing vegetation for the pathway.

The sign has been dated to the early 2000s. Since then, the dune face has receded more than 70 metres.

2 Comments

Ed Thexton

11/3/2022 10:41:24 am

What's there to worry about its only Bass Strait and who ever heard of a south westerly or brisk sand laden easterly? For the poor people of Surf Pde facing into it to realise that the dune and its vegetation was their best friend it will be all too little too late once the concrete hardens. But it's not too late to change, the vegetation may be gone but why not use the compacted sand that most using the kilometres of the Ayr Creek path find fit for purpose. The precautionary principle suggests placing public assets like concrete paths, with a design life of decades, into at risk situations like an eroding dune may not be the best use of public monies. But who really cares? Its somebody else's rates, somebody else's taxes.

Bernie Mccomb

11/3/2022 01:13:01 pm

Unfortunately, some punters can be heard, when they insist “something must be done”. Then team leader managers, now rumoured to not be residents of Bass Coast, call in consultants, further removed from any criticism, to deliver “worlds best practise” solution, attractive, even if inappropriate.

Sign of the times

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