Inverloch’s $5 million dune rebuild started on Monday. By Friday there was not much to show for it.
By Catherine Watson
INVERLOCH’S long-awaited dune reconstruction project has got off to a slow start, with teething troubles and high tides hampering the first week of sand pumping.
A steady stream of visitors has made its way to Surf Beach this week to watch the start of the $5 million project, which aims to rebuild the eroded dune between Wreck Creek and Ozone Street.
By Friday afternoon, however, only a modest volume of sand had been pumped onto the beach at the eastern end of the project area.
INVERLOCH’S long-awaited dune reconstruction project has got off to a slow start, with teething troubles and high tides hampering the first week of sand pumping.
A steady stream of visitors has made its way to Surf Beach this week to watch the start of the $5 million project, which aims to rebuild the eroded dune between Wreck Creek and Ozone Street.
By Friday afternoon, however, only a modest volume of sand had been pumped onto the beach at the eastern end of the project area.
The Queensland-based contractor, Hall Contracting, had hoped to begin pumping earlier, but the works started later than anticipated.
The challenges continued this week.
On Tuesday, the Sentinel Times reported site supervisor Nick Christian as saying dredging and pumping would continue seven days a week over the next three to four weeks and would not be interrupted by tide, wave height or storm surge.
But a very high tide on Thursday reclaimed some of the newly pumped sand and caused further erosion along sections of the existing beach.
Conditions could have been worse. While forecasters had predicted south-westerly winds, which would have driven waves directly onto the beach, winds were predominantly north-westerly for much of the day.
The challenges continued this week.
On Tuesday, the Sentinel Times reported site supervisor Nick Christian as saying dredging and pumping would continue seven days a week over the next three to four weeks and would not be interrupted by tide, wave height or storm surge.
But a very high tide on Thursday reclaimed some of the newly pumped sand and caused further erosion along sections of the existing beach.
Conditions could have been worse. While forecasters had predicted south-westerly winds, which would have driven waves directly onto the beach, winds were predominantly north-westerly for much of the day.
The dredge is sourcing sand from Anderson Inlet, between Point Smythe and Screw Creek.
Community debate over the project shows no sign of easing. Some residents continue to argue that a rock wall is the only long-term solution, while others question whether any intervention can permanently hold back coastal processes.
The South Gippsland Conservation Society (SGCS) backs the project as the best chance of preserving Inverloch's sandy surf beach. SGCS Coastal Resilience Project leader Philip Heath said there was always an element of uncertainty in beach renourishment projects.
"It's been a very challenging first week for pumping to coincide with difficult conditions," he said. "The coming week is looking a lot calmer, with lower tides. I really hope the contractors can get on the front foot and get a major volume of sand on the beach."
Mr Heath said many people had expected a more dramatic start. "We were expecting a bit of shock and awe but so far it's been disappointing. We're right behind them but we need to see concerted action over the weeks ahead.
"It's a shame the pumping started later than originally proposed. There’s a commitment to work 24/7 and I hope we'll see that this weekend and beyond."
Mr Heath said Thursday's king tide highlighted the urgency of the work. "The beach levels are now so low that the profile needs to be raised by several metres."
The dune reconstruction project has grown from an estimated cost of $3 million to about $5 million.
The South Gippsland Conservation Society (SGCS) backs the project as the best chance of preserving Inverloch's sandy surf beach. SGCS Coastal Resilience Project leader Philip Heath said there was always an element of uncertainty in beach renourishment projects.
"It's been a very challenging first week for pumping to coincide with difficult conditions," he said. "The coming week is looking a lot calmer, with lower tides. I really hope the contractors can get on the front foot and get a major volume of sand on the beach."
Mr Heath said many people had expected a more dramatic start. "We were expecting a bit of shock and awe but so far it's been disappointing. We're right behind them but we need to see concerted action over the weeks ahead.
"It's a shame the pumping started later than originally proposed. There’s a commitment to work 24/7 and I hope we'll see that this weekend and beyond."
Mr Heath said Thursday's king tide highlighted the urgency of the work. "The beach levels are now so low that the profile needs to be raised by several metres."
The dune reconstruction project has grown from an estimated cost of $3 million to about $5 million.
Sand is being pumped onto the beach at the end of the spit and will eventually cover the sandbag wall.
The State Government has also contributed $700,000 to repair and extend the geotextile sandbag wall in front of the Inverloch Surf Life Saving Club.
The wall, which will eventually be buried beneath the rebuilt dune, did the job of protecting that section of foreshore from further erosion during Thursday's high tide.
The wall, which will eventually be buried beneath the rebuilt dune, did the job of protecting that section of foreshore from further erosion during Thursday's high tide.