SILVERLEAVES has received emergency funding for critical dune and asset protection work to be finished by Easter while Inverloch continues to wait for the completion of design works by September.
State Environment Minister Steve Dimopoulos and Bass MP Jordan Crugnale last week assured residents of Silverleaves that early protection work will be completed before the Easter high tides.
Ms Crugnale said with designs completed and funding approved for immediate emergency works at Silverleaves the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA), Bass Coast Council and contracted consultants can now work through ‘on-the-ground' plans to start protection measures.
Silverleaves is expected to have a geotextile bag wall installed by the end of August.
On the opposite side of Bass Coast, funding for erosion mitigation works at Inverloch have to date primarily been focussed on protecting the surf club and providing safe beach access to complement large-scale dune reconstruction in spring.
Ms Crugnale said design works will continue at Inverloch ahead of physical works.
"We can now proceed with the designs and then carry out the works to repair and extend the geotextile container wall as well as provide safe access to the surf beach. The works are also expected to maximise, for example, dune stabilisation and enable greater vegetation work to be carried out in the area."
Key stakeholders from the Inverloch Tourist Association (ITA), Inverloch Surf Lifesaving Club (SLSC), and South Gippsland Conservation Society (SGCS) came together last Thursday for their fifth meeting with DEECA and Bass Coast Shire.
Water Technology Principal Coastal Engineer Elise Lawry presented conceptual designs and preliminary renders for the dune reconstruction program at Inverloch.
Based on feedback from stakeholders it has been recommended that sand for the reconstruction works should be sourced from Andersons Inlet rather than offshore.
It is estimated around 110,000 cubic metres of sand will be dredged from the Inlet.
Modelling for the sand dredging at Inverloch was done for both inlet and offshore nourishment using the latest data from December 2024.
Inlet sand was found to be much coarser and better able to protect the existing dunes with stakeholders advised that sourcing the sand offshore may compromise an underwater Telstra cable and extensive exclusion zone.
Ms Crugnale said Inverloch stakeholder groups are very much at the table taking an active role in preparing community messaging and involvement.
Community engagement opportunities using pop-ups, drop-in sessions, and printed materials were scheduled for February, but this timetable has been adjusted based on discussions with stakeholders and direction from consultants and DEECA.
“I want to reassure our community that this adjustment has not pushed the project back and the delivery timeline is still set for spring,” said Ms Crugnale.
“We are very much looking forward to sharing with the wider Inverloch community the designs and renders for the dune reconstruction project once they are finalised and what to expect during the project period itself.
"Can I take this opportunity to thank our respective communities, local groups, organisations and councils once again for their advocacy and the team at DEECA putting together this very important package of statewide projects," Ms Crugnale added.
Bass Coast Mayor Cr Rochelle Halstead welcomed the investment at Silverleaves.
“Coastal erosion is a significant issue, and we are pleased to see the Victorian Government taking action.
“We are so thankful to Jordan Crugnale (Member for Bass) for her advocacy, and the Minister – it is going to take a lot of anxiety out of our community."
Mayor Halstead said the funding would be a vital step in protecting the coastline.
"The weather events in Queensland and northern New South Wales are a timely reminder of the importance of this work for our communities and we look forward to work starting on these urgent works as soon as possible,” said Mayor Halstead.
Bass Coast Councillor Meg Edwards also welcomed the funding.
“Well done everyone,” posted Cr Edwards on Facebook.
“Things are moving in the right direction,” said Cr Edwards.
Natalie Gray from the Silverleaves Coast Action Group acknowledged the good news.
"The key will be how much,” said Ms Gray.
The Silverleaves Coast Action Group is still waiting to see the final costings on the temporary work to be completed before Easter and the installation of geotextile bags thereafter.
Environment Minister Steve Dimopoulos and Jordan Crugnale MP explained in a video online that Silverleaves would be the first cab off the rank for coastal erosion works.
The Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA) recently provided an update on the Silverleaves coastal adaptation project with hundreds of responses received.
Two hundred and six respondents opted for a physical buffer at Silverleaves to protect the natural and built environment in the Silverleaves adaptation values and aspirations survey, whilst providing habitat for flora and fauna also received overwhelming support from survey respondents.
Among the responses was a warning of permanent inundation and destruction of the whole of Silverleaves and Woodland Avenue within months.
“Trees and bush-covered sand dunes are eroding up to a metre per week and hundreds of homes will be lost within months if urgent engineering is not undertaken.”
Another respondent was concerned at the loss of vegetation and mature trees along the foreshore creating greater wind impact for the rest of Silverleaves.
Several respondents also raised valid concerns about additional hazards impacting the coastal environment including rubbish and pollution along the foreshore, biodiversity loss, and vegetation degradation.
When asked for their suggestions on how the Silverleaves foreshore could be made more resilient the majority of respondents asked for immediate action to address erosion and protect the foreshore.
There was mixed support for engineered solutions such as rock walls or groynes compared to more natural solutions such as sandbagging and revegetation.
