Foreshore Erosion Control

The dynamic coastline at Inverloch has been experiencing significant erosion in recent years, impacting on public access, amenity, and major assets.

The Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning (DELWP), together with Council, Parks Victoria, Regional Roads Victoria and the West Gippsland Catchment Management Authority, have formed a working group to address erosion at Inverloch and developed a short-term erosion control plan for key areas along the Inverloch Surf Beach.

Wet-sand fencing has now been installed at two areas along the Inverloch Foreshore, which were significantly impacted by coastal erosion. The areas will be renourished with sand, reconstructing the foredune to 1.5 metres above current beach level and five metres wide between now and September. These works have been jointly funded by the Victorian Government’s Protection of Victoria’s Iconic Beaches and Coastline project and Council.

Background

While the Inverloch foreshore is protected from the strong westerlies associated with the mid-latitudes, it is vulnerable to southerly winds and storm surge events. These storm surge events are particularly strong in winter, while spring and summer are times of calmer weather, allowing for more sand accretion. In recent years, the volume of sand lost to erosion during storm surge events has greatly exceeded the amount returned to the beach during calmer seasons.

Areas of Concern

The two major areas of concern are the foreshore in front of the Inverloch Surf Life Saving Club and the foreshore in front of Bunurong Road, as erosion threatens to impact built public assets.

The foreshore adjacent to the Inverloch Surf Life Saving Club has seen 33.5 metres of coastline retreat since 2012. Currently, the building is located 16 metres from the face of the dune, with this distance remaining relatively stable since the end of winter.

The foreshore adjacent to Bunurong Road, particularly near the Surf Parade intersection, has experienced 35.6 metres of coastline retreat since 2012. The road is currently within six metres of the eroding edge.

Wet-sand fencing

Wet-sand fencing is an erosion control structure installed from the estimated maximum erodible level of the beach. Constructed using thin slats of timber connected by wire, it helps to accumulate and maintain sand, working to rebuild a beach for improved community use.

The structure allows waves to pass through carrying sand while limiting the amount that returns offshore. This is due to its design decreasing the wave energy, allowing sand to settle more easily behind the fence.

Why Wet-sand fencing?

• Low cost and quick to install.
• Minimal impact on the environment.
• When combined with renourishment, retains considerably more sand than renourishment alone.
• Encourages vegetation to advance and help rebuild a beach.

Next Steps

DELWP are working with all stakeholders involved to prepare medium and long-term options for Inverloch Surf Beach. Community engagement will be central to future planning, and we will keep the community informed as the project progresses.

Further Information

For further information regarding coastal protection works at Inverloch, please contact the DELWP Traralgon office on 03 5172 2111.