While the sand dredge is out of action, workers are shaping the completed section of dune, between the Surf Club and the Ozone Street track. Photos: South Gippsland Conservation Society
By Catherine Watson
AFTER a month of steady progress, the Inverloch Surf Beach renourishment project has paused while repairs are carried out to the dredge Kirra.
The dredge pump failed early this week but replacement parts and specialist mechanics are on site, and the project team is hopeful sand pumping will restart on Friday.
AFTER a month of steady progress, the Inverloch Surf Beach renourishment project has paused while repairs are carried out to the dredge Kirra.
The dredge pump failed early this week but replacement parts and specialist mechanics are on site, and the project team is hopeful sand pumping will restart on Friday.
So far, around 25,000 cubic metres of pumped sand has been stockpiled on the beach, with another 75,000 cubic metres to be delivered.
Works were originally due to be completed by June 30 but the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA) has confirmed that Hall Contracting will remain on site to complete the renourishment in accordance with the design specified by Water Technology.
While the dredge is out of action, workers from Hall Construction are shaping the completed section of reconstructed dune, between the Surf Club and the Ozone Street access track.
Works were originally due to be completed by June 30 but the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA) has confirmed that Hall Contracting will remain on site to complete the renourishment in accordance with the design specified by Water Technology.
While the dredge is out of action, workers from Hall Construction are shaping the completed section of reconstructed dune, between the Surf Club and the Ozone Street access track.
Photos June 28
Drone photos supplied by the South Gippsland Conservation Society show substantial reshaping of the beach, with teams working round the clock to backfill the reconstructed dune formed in line with the project design.
Philip Heath, leader of the conservation society’s Coastal Resilience Project, said that before the latest breakdown steady progress was being made, after early difficulties with some very high tides.
The June weather conditions have been favourable with moderate tides, northerly winds and low to moderate swells dominating. Work started just west of the Ozone Street access track at the start of June and the renourishment reached the Surf Club on July 1.
Shaping will continue progressively, as pumping to each compartment is completed.
Philip Heath, leader of the conservation society’s Coastal Resilience Project, said that before the latest breakdown steady progress was being made, after early difficulties with some very high tides.
The June weather conditions have been favourable with moderate tides, northerly winds and low to moderate swells dominating. Work started just west of the Ozone Street access track at the start of June and the renourishment reached the Surf Club on July 1.
Shaping will continue progressively, as pumping to each compartment is completed.
However, Mr Heath said the most challenging sections remain, with the design specifying a wider width of renourishment (more than 60 metres adjacent to Wreck Creek – North Arm), and taking account of the lower existing beach levels at the extent of the works between the Surf Club and the Cape Paterson Road rock wall.
Some pumped sand is likely to be lost during construction of this section, with several higher tides predicted during July, and weather conditions could change.
DEECA says some sand movement and loss is expected over time, as part of a dynamic coastal environment, but planned revegetation will help stabilise key areas and support the effectiveness of the reconstructed dune over the longer term.
Some pumped sand is likely to be lost during construction of this section, with several higher tides predicted during July, and weather conditions could change.
DEECA says some sand movement and loss is expected over time, as part of a dynamic coastal environment, but planned revegetation will help stabilise key areas and support the effectiveness of the reconstructed dune over the longer term.
Once sand pumping and shaping is completed, the dunes will be left to settle and allow salt to be leached from the upper levels by rainfall.
The conservation society is liaising with DEECA and Bass Coast Shire Council on the planting, which is expected to start in late spring. The Wonthaggi Seedbank and Barb Martin Bushbank native plant nurseries are propagating a range of species to be ready for planting at this time.
The plants will help to stabilise the reconstructed dunes by reducing wind erosion, trapping sand to build dune structure and providing habitat for native fauna, partially replacing what has been lost over the past 12 years.
The conservation society is liaising with DEECA and Bass Coast Shire Council on the planting, which is expected to start in late spring. The Wonthaggi Seedbank and Barb Martin Bushbank native plant nurseries are propagating a range of species to be ready for planting at this time.
The plants will help to stabilise the reconstructed dunes by reducing wind erosion, trapping sand to build dune structure and providing habitat for native fauna, partially replacing what has been lost over the past 12 years.