From left, Simon Woodland, Jordan Crugnale, Michael Whelan, Ken Hailey and Darrin McKenzie visited Silverleaves to observe the damage. By Catherine Watson
WORKS will start immediately to stabilise the Silverleaves beach after storm surges eroded the dunes and left houses vulnerable to inundation.
Bass Coast Mayor Michael Whelan and Bass MP Jordan Crugnale met at Silverleaves late last week to see the situation first-hand and discuss immediate and long-term actions.
They were accompanied by Ken Hailey, chair of the Cowes East Foreshore Preventive Action Group, and Darrin McKenzie, regional director of the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA), and Simon Woodland, the council's manager of sustainable environment
Immediate works will include sand renourishment and the placement of woody debris along the exposed shoreline to break up the wave energy.
WORKS will start immediately to stabilise the Silverleaves beach after storm surges eroded the dunes and left houses vulnerable to inundation.
Bass Coast Mayor Michael Whelan and Bass MP Jordan Crugnale met at Silverleaves late last week to see the situation first-hand and discuss immediate and long-term actions.
They were accompanied by Ken Hailey, chair of the Cowes East Foreshore Preventive Action Group, and Darrin McKenzie, regional director of the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA), and Simon Woodland, the council's manager of sustainable environment
Immediate works will include sand renourishment and the placement of woody debris along the exposed shoreline to break up the wave energy.
Later this year a study will be undertaken to determine options for the mid to longer term management of erosion.
Mr Hailey welcomed the response. “The immediate short-term measure that was agreed, to push coastal debris and sand up to the remaining dune system along the whole coastline, will hopefully enable us to get through the winter and spring, giving the joint task force time to make a full assessment of more permanent options.”
Cr Whelan said long-term monitoring of Silverleaves showed the area was subject to a regular pattern of winter storms which increases erosion risk, while calmer conditions over summer tended to see beach levels build up or recover.
“On a longer cycle spanning decades, our studies show evidence of erosion activity increasing from time to time - notably in the 1960s and mid 2010s - with quiet periods in between.
“However, Council and DEECA acknowledge that current erosion is clearly impacting areas that have been stable for decades: established vegetation, such as coastal banksias, are losing their footing on the changing shoreline.”
Ms Crugnale said the Coastal Processes Study would provide the science to guide future action. ”The last thing we want is to exacerbate the erosion or transfer the issue further down the beach.”
In 2021, the council replaced eight timber groynes along the Cowes East Foreshore at a cost of $826,000, funded by the Australian Government’s Environmental Restoration Fund. In the second stage of the $2.7m project, a 360-metre rock revetment wall was completed between Rose Avenue and Coghlan Road last year.
Mr Hailey welcomed the response. “The immediate short-term measure that was agreed, to push coastal debris and sand up to the remaining dune system along the whole coastline, will hopefully enable us to get through the winter and spring, giving the joint task force time to make a full assessment of more permanent options.”
Cr Whelan said long-term monitoring of Silverleaves showed the area was subject to a regular pattern of winter storms which increases erosion risk, while calmer conditions over summer tended to see beach levels build up or recover.
“On a longer cycle spanning decades, our studies show evidence of erosion activity increasing from time to time - notably in the 1960s and mid 2010s - with quiet periods in between.
“However, Council and DEECA acknowledge that current erosion is clearly impacting areas that have been stable for decades: established vegetation, such as coastal banksias, are losing their footing on the changing shoreline.”
Ms Crugnale said the Coastal Processes Study would provide the science to guide future action. ”The last thing we want is to exacerbate the erosion or transfer the issue further down the beach.”
In 2021, the council replaced eight timber groynes along the Cowes East Foreshore at a cost of $826,000, funded by the Australian Government’s Environmental Restoration Fund. In the second stage of the $2.7m project, a 360-metre rock revetment wall was completed between Rose Avenue and Coghlan Road last year.
Photo: Bass Coast Shire Council
Silverleaves is identified as vulnerable in Bass Coast’s Land Subject to Inundation Overlay which projects a rise in sea level of 0.2 metres by 2040 and 0.8 Metres by 2100. The council has already rejected permits for housing at Silverleaves on the basis of future inundation.
The council and State Government have successfully used sand renourishment at Inverloch over the past couple of winters to slow erosion of the dunes.
The council and State Government have successfully used sand renourishment at Inverloch over the past couple of winters to slow erosion of the dunes.