THE State Government appears to have issued two conflicting statements involving $15 million in funding “to address coastal erosion and safety risks across Victorian coastlines”.
On March 19 this year, Minister for Environment Steve Dimopoulos announced the money would be used for dune protection, sand renourishment, repairs to stairs, walking trails, boardwalks and access ramps and restoration of damaged seawalls and damaged piers.
“Over $10 million will deliver restoration work and repairs where it’s needed most, including at Black Rock, Inverloch, Loch Sport, Tooradin, Silverleaves and Warrnambool,” Minister Dimopoulos said in his March 19 statement.
It was also revealed that $2 million of the $15 million would be used to “enhance access and improve coastal infrastructure along the Great Ocean Road” by addressing storm surge impacts including compromised seawalls and safe beach access for community in key locations such as Torquay, Port Campbell and Eastern View. Parks Victoria would also be given $2.2 million to coordinate the restoration of key tourist and recreational piers along the Mornington Peninsula including at Portsea and Mornington, including safe access to beaches and walking trails.
Questions have since been asked about how much of the $10 million will be allocated to Silverleaves, Inverloch, Tooradin and the other locations and what the nature of those projects would be,
However, on Wednesday, April 2, Minister Dimopoulos opened applications for grants of up to $150,000, to a total of $1.4 million, also to come out of the $15 million he announced on March 19.
The statement reads as follows:
“The Allan Labor Government is investing in safer and improved access to our coastline, to ensure more people get to enjoy our beautiful beaches. Minister of the Environment Steve Dimopoulos today opened applications for the Coastal Public Access and Risk Grants Program, which will deliver $1.4 million in total to land managers to improve coastal access and safety at Victorian beaches. Grants of up to $150,000 are available for coastal Crown land managers, including volunteer committees of management and local governments, to reduce coastal risk through identification, mitigation and monitoring of risks.
“Last year’s grants helped establish a variety of infrastructure across Victoria’s coastline, including upgrades to beach access steps by installing hand railing, replacement of beach access stairs and upgrades to eroding beach access paths. Recipients have also used grants to support erosion management planning and coastal stability assessments.
“This announcement is backed by the Labor Government’s recent coastal erosion funding announcement, delivering $15 million to address coastal erosion and safety risks across Victorian coastlines.
The works include dune protection, sand renourishment, repairs to stairs, walking trails, boardwalks and access ramps and restoration of damaged seawalls and damaged piers. Restoration work and repairs will take place where it is needed most, including at Black Rock, Inverloch, Loch Sport, Tooradin, Silverleaves and Warrnambool. Applications close on 30 April 2025, for more information and to apply, visit marineandcoasts.vic.gov.au/grants.
Silverleaves works
Meanwhile, foreshore protection works have commenced at Silverleaves on Wednesday this week with assurances that the necessary protections will be in place before anticipated Easter king tides.
Despite calls from the Inverloch community and also from Eastern Victorian MP Melina Bath for the government to provide detail and a timeline on the work to be carried out at Inverloch, especially protection works at the Inverloch Surf Lifesaving Club before Easter, nothing has been forthcoming.
And now an announcement that the original $15 million in coastal erosion funding will be further eroded by a newly announced grants program.
