THE Bass Coast Shire Council sent a delegation to meet with the Victorian Minister for Environment Steve Dimopoulos, on Wednesday this week, to raise the need for an urgent response to the erosion crisis at Inverloch and Silverleaves.
Attending for the Bass Coast Shire Council were the Mayor Cr Rochelle Halstead, Deputy Mayor Cr Brett Tessari, the shire CEO Greg Box and Teena Hale Pennington, the shire's General Manager Innovation and Culture.
Speaking about the meeting, also attended by Bass MP Jordan Crugnale, the Bass Coast Mayor Cr Rochelle Halstead said she believed progress had been made in impressing on the Minister the need to bring forward the government’s response.
“In line with the motion passed by council at the December meeting, to try to get a meeting with the Minister at the earliest opportunity, we met with Minister Dimopoulos yesterday (January 29), the head of DEECA (Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action) and the regional manager, along with Jordan (Crugnale) to discuss the communities concerns," said Cr Halstead.
“All of the things the community has raised and the council has discussed were raised and we received a very good hearing from the Minister.”
Cr Halstead said the council was seeking urgent commencement of the large-scale dune restoration at Inverloch, and, an urgent commitment to funding the recommended Geotech sandbag revetment solution proposed as interim protection for the Silverleaves foreshore.
Retreat, said Cr Halstead, was not discussed.
Asked what will happen next time tides and storm surge threaten the Inverloch Surf Lifesaving Club, Cr Halstead said it was exactly what council was trying to avoid.
“We are trying to avoid damage to infrastructure and private property,” she said.
According to the DEECA Cape to Cape Resilience webpage (FAQ): “The Victorian Government has recently been awarded a Commonwealth grant to work with local coastal governments on developing retreat policies to improve climate change adaptation and resilience.”
Asked if Bass Coast was one of the councils being consulted about retreat policies, the Mayor said, to the best of her knowledge, council had not yet been consulted about developing a statewide policy on retreat.
In August 2024, the Federal Government provided $200 million from its Disaster Ready Fund for 171 projects in 2024-25 including a “Transition/retreat policy for property and assets impacted by coastal hazards and sea level rise”.
Bass Coast was included on a list of those that will be consulted, also including Cardinia, Casey, East Gippsland, Mornington Peninsula, South Gippsland, Surf Coast, and Wellington.
Details of the project are: The Transition/Retreat Policy for Property and Assets Impacted by Coastal Hazards and Sea Level Rise project will deliver policy direction and transition/ retreat adaptation options for Victoria. It will pursue policy options that are equitable, inclusive, fair, straight forward and efficient. Local government will be able to draw on the policy and tools to deliver adaptation plans that call for transition away from in coastal locations impacted by hazards.
Cr Halstead said council’s delegation received a good hearing from the Minister who undertook to go away and come back with a response.
At the December 2024 BCSC Council Meeting during a discussion about “Immediate Protection of key assets in Inverloch in response to Coastal Erosion” council moved a motion addressing both the problems at Inverloch and also at Silverleaves.
In relation to Inverloch, Council voted (in part) as follows:
“That Council seeks for DEECA to bring forward dune stabilisation works as a matter of urgency to ensure adequate protection from storms and the Easter high tides and assess the engineering options for medium and long-term protection of the surf beach to develop the best long-term erosion protection strategies.”
In relation to Silverleaves, Council voted (in part) as follows:
“That Council advocates to secure urgent funding for the emergency protection of the Silverleaves foreshore.”
Council also stressed that the Inverloch and Silverleaves communities be kept fully informed on progress via Council’s website.
Bass Coast Shire Council update
The Bass Coast Shire Council provided the following “Coastal Protection Update - Meeting with The Hon Steve Dimopoulos” on its website on Thursday, January 30, 2025:
Yesterday, on behalf of Bass Coast Shire Council, Mayor, Cr Rochelle Halstead and Deputy Mayor, Cr Brett Tessari met with The Hon. Steve Dimopoulos, Minister for Environment. This was an opportunity for Council to share with the Minister the concerns of community and to seek urgent action and investment in physical works at Inverloch and Silverleaves in response to coastal erosion and inundation.
The Mayor and Deputy Mayor were joined by Bass Coast Shire Council CEO, Greg Box and General Manager Innovation & Engagement, Teena Hale Pennington as well as Member for Bass, Jordan Crugnale and Department of Energy, Environment, and Climate Action (DEECA) officials for this important conversation.
Minister Dimopoulos acknowledged the serious impact coastal erosion and storm events were having on Bass Coast communities. Residents of Inverloch and Silverleaves have been living with the increasing threat of erosion and inundation, affecting access, safety, and the long-term future of their coastal environment. The Minister confirmed that funding applications are under active consideration by the State Government Cabinet and the Treasurer. State Government leadership is vital. Urgency is needed to ensure adequate protection from storms and Easter high tides and medium-longer term coastal erosion protection strategies are implemented.
Minister Dimopoulos assured Council that decisions are expected soon, with work progressing as quickly as possible.
Bass Coast Mayor, Cr Rochelle Halstead, said, "We appreciate the Minister taking the time to meet with us today and hear firsthand the concerns of our community. We need urgent investment and the commencement of works to protect our coastline, homes, and public infrastructure. We look forward to working with the State Government to secure the necessary funding and ensure long-term solutions for our community."
On behalf of Bass Coast Shire Council, Mayor Cr Halstead invited the Minister to Bass Coast to announce the funding and works plans.
We’ll keep the community updated as more details emerge.
It's been a busy week for the Bass Coast Mayor Cr Halstead, also joining ABC Radio Melbourne host, Rafael Epstein for a Meet the Mayors segment last Thursday.
Listen here: https://www.abc.net.au/.../melbourne.../mornings/104835996
