THE public rally that took place on Sunday, January 5 at the Inverloch Surf Life Saving Club was billed as a call for help from the Inverloch community to make sure “that the Government gets a clear message that we require action now to save and protect the Inverloch Foreshore”.
While the event may have placed our political representatives on notice, the organisers gave no explanation about why the erosion is occurring, what any “permanent protective measures” might look like or what funding and time commitments would be needed. Credit though to the invited speakers who explained why they were there and showed their support for tangible and urgent action by Government.
At least the spotlight has been placed momentarily on one of the most difficult issues of our times – that we are facing an environmental crisis driven by changes in climate. The destructive effects of storm surge on the Inverloch surf beach are a sign of further environmental impacts likely appearing in just 15-30 years.
As a resident with deep concerns about Inverloch’s future, we need Government to step up immediately with a realistic plan to manage these impacts – a plan that will be accepted by the community and clearly sets out what needs to be done, how it will be funded and when key outcomes will be met.
We don’t need to first hear about Government plans for our future from the depths of an obscure report, no matter how well researched or intended. We don’t need more public rallies asking Government to install “permanent protective measures” to combat sea-level rise along one of the most hydrodynamically challenging coastlines in Victoria.
We do need clear and factual information about the problem so that rational decisions can be made. We do need to hear about solutions that are feasible and that in the long term can safeguard our future. We do need the “powers-that-be” to understand the community absolutely must be involved in assessing options and making choices.
I worry our children and grandchildren are watching their future being frittered away through lack of action and poorly conceived choices.
Trevor Forge, Inverloch
