Tom Parry and Stefan Bradley
A REPORT about erosion at Loch Sport has finally been made public, confirming that immediate action must be taken to prevent further loss of land and infrastructure.
The Loch Sport Foreshore Coastal Processes & Options Assessment details areas along the Lake Victoria waterfront that are vulnerable to erosion, particularly land near Toorak Avenue and The Boulevard.
“Without effective adaptation measures, by 2050 we expect that the walking path (along the foreshore) will be cut in many places, boat ramps could be impacted by erosion and some private property may be impacted by erosion,” the report reads.
“Between 2050 and 2100 the full width of the foreshore reserve could be eroded in many places and the number of private properties impacted will increase.”
The report also highlights an erosion event in 2019, where as much as 7.45 metres of shoreline was lost over a 117-day period due to storm activity.
“Based on this assessment and local anecdotal evidence, it is plausible that a single extreme storm event could cause up to five metres (of) erosion and a series of storms over one year could cause up to 10m of erosion in the worst effected [sic] location,” the report says.
The report’s findings echo the long-held concerns of locals in Loch Sport, who have campaigned for a permanent solution to the erosion issue for several years.
Residents spoken to by the Gippsland Times fear that properties will be affected far sooner than the report’s 2050 date suggests, unless action is taken.
Also detailed in the report are potential solutions to the issue, including groynes – the favoured option of residents.
While the document deems them to be an effective measure to prevent erosion, it also considers groynes a difficult solution to implement, owing to the $7 million installation cost, lack of beach access for construction crews and time taken to construct.
Photo: Tom Parry
The 106-page report was written by engineering consultancy firm BMT, which was commissioned by the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning (DELWP) to conduct a study of the Loch Sport foreshore in August 2021.
DELWP received the final copy of the report from BMT in May this year.
The public release of the document comes as DELWP prepares to engage in further consultation sessions with the community.
A live public online information session was facilitated by DELWP via Microsoft Teams on Thursday evening, and a face-to-face session is planned next Friday.
Additionally, an online survey has been launched for residents to provide their feedback on the report.
DELWP Gippsland regional director, Darrin McKenzie, is encouraging the Loch Sport community to have their say about coastal erosion mitigation measures identified in the study.
“The survey is open to Loch Sport residents, homeowners, tourism and business operators and the broader community as we hope to gain a diverse range of perspectives during the consultation period,” Mr McKenzie said.
“It will help us identify the preferred mitigation measures and influence next steps in adapting to Loch Sport’s changing coastline.”
Photo: File
Mr McKenzie’s call is being backed by Member for Gippsland South, Danny O’Brien, who is urging locals to complete the survey and attend the upcoming information session.
“It is well-past time to choose a path forward and get the ball rolling and it is important that the locals who will be most impacted by this have their say on what path is chosen,” Mr O’Brien said.
“I want to work with the community and the government to ensure that we get a solution in place as soon as possible before further environmental damage is done.”
Speaking to the Gippsland Times earlier this month, government frontbencher and Member for Eastern Victoria, Harriet Shing said the government’s response would be guided by the community.
“Lily D’Ambrosio (the Minister for Environment and Climate Action) and I are well aware of the challenges that are taking place through erosion in Loch Sport, and indeed more broadly,” Ms Shing said.
“I’m looking forward to getting back down again to Loch Sport to have these conversations directly with the community, and to take their views about what they think the best solution is long-term.
“We want to make sure we get it right.”
DELWP’s face-to-face community pop-up session will be at the Loch Sport Community Hall on Friday, September 9 from 10am to 12pm.
More information about the public consultation period, the report, and the survey can be found by visiting the official webpage: engage.vic.gov.au/loch-sport-foreshore-coastal-erosion
