THE new Bass Coast Shire Council has injected a sense of urgency into the looming coastal erosion disaster at Inverloch, flagging Easter high tides, in April next year, as the potential tipping point for the beleaguered surf club, nearby houses and infrastructure including Cape Paterson-Inverloch Road.
In a unanimous decision by the council last week, they’ve called on the State Government and the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA) to finally accept their responsibility for what’s happening at Inverloch and immediately to stump up some serious cash for protection measures before it’s too late.
Specifically, they want DEECA to bring forward dune stabilisation works as a matter of urgency to ensure adequate protection from storms and the Easter high tides and to give serious thought to other engineering options for medium and long-term protection of the surf beach, allowing time to develop the best long-term erosion protection strategies.
After a visit by councillors to see the extent of the problems first-hand, in the week prior to last Wednesday’s council meeting, including speaking with local community representatives, they’ve also undertaken to implement a community engagement plan.
And not forgetting the serious erosion problems at Silverleaves on Phillip Island, the council has promised to advocate for urgent funding for the emergency protection of the Silverleaves foreshore, while committing to having a long-term plan in place by June 25, 2025.
Both Federal and State governments will be the targets of their advocacy efforts, with council nominating a delegation to meet with the Victorian Minister for the Environment, The Hon. Steve Dimopoulos, as soon as possible.
In moving the motion, calling for more urgent action by government, Cr Tim O’Brien said respective community groups “have been watching with growing alarm the degradation of their coastlines by stronger and more frequent storms, higher tidal surges, and deepening and potentially more catastrophic impacts”.
“We have spoken with residents who are genuinely anguished by the prospect of property loss, unsaleable properties, uncertainty and helplessness, while waiting for action by DEECA, by Government, and, yes, by Council. They want to see the reports, consultants’ findings and recommendations turned into effective action,” he said at council last week.
“Of course, many residents are unaware of the way the different layers of government dovetail on these complex matters of coastal erosion, but we have to remind ourselves that these residents, whom we represent, they are like the residents in a valley watching a bushfire approaching.
“They just want something done. They don’t want to hear about “why it’s difficult”. They expect their council to see them, to hear them, to recognise the emergency and to help.”
Cr Meg Edwards, who brought the Urgent Motion to council last month which initiated the officer’s report, tabled at the December meeting, also spoke saying council had a better understanding of what the community needed to see at Inverloch, also saying that councillors were frankly shocked at the extent of the gouging beyond the end of the revetment at Silverleaves and the threat there to residents’ homes.
She said any state government investment in protecting Inverloch and Silverleaves would be far less than the cost of not protecting property and assets in the firing line.
Councillor Mat Morgan thanked officers for the quick turnaround on the report and for the work he has seen on the beach in recent weeks but stressed it was DEECA’s
responsibility to fund works not council.
“I can’t say this more clearly. We need the state government to listen to our community. We are in a climate crisis, and sticking your head in the ever-eroding sand is not a solution,” said Cr Morgan.
“People’s insurance premiums are through the roof. There is zero compensation strategy being developed for literally stranded assets, and people are understandably worried and frustrated.
“At the end of the day, this council has a tiny budget. It is DEECA’s responsibility to fund the dune nourishment or any alternative strategies,” he said.
He said there needed to be a nationally coordinated response to the impact of climate change on coastal communities.
Crs Temby, Tessari and Bauer also spoke in support of stepping up the pressure on the government with Cr Tessari noting that 70 per cent of the Bass Coast border was coastline, presenting a potentially huge problem for a local council with a tiny budget by comparison.
