A $30,000 State Government allocation to address coastal erosion at Post Office Rock is a “stop-gap” measure before parts of Beachport slip into the sea, Wattle Range Council says.
While welcoming the SA Coast Protection Board funding, council engineering director Peter Halton said the money, which will be used to repair the Post Office Rock causeway, was “just buying us time”.
An independent report found it was “almost certain” the ocean would break through the causeway and breach Bowman’s Scenic Drive, with council allocating $45,000 earlier this year to reinstate the causeway where it has eroded.
Mr Halton said erosion had and would continue to affect the frontal dune system and a separation between land and Post Office Rock had occurred.
He said the State Government funding would assist council in attempting to combat further degradation of the area, but stressed it was not a permanent solution.
“Council will put some additional rocks between the separation of the land and Post Office Rock, but this is only a stop gap,” he said.
“It is an interim measure trying to slow down the rate of erosion, but we are going to have to look at the status and management options of the site.”
While the erosion rate had slowed between 2009 to 2017 compared to the previous eight years, the report says the erosion scarp crest will reach the road in around five to six years.
If the current erosion rate continues, the dune in the middle of the embankment is estimated to be completely eroded away by 2048.
The report made four recommendations, including closing part of Bowman’s Scenic Drive by 2024.
However, the report warned action would need to be taken prior in the event of large storms.
Mr Halton said a realignment of Bowman’s Scenic Drive would be necessary.
“It is unfortunate because the scenic drive is a significant tourist attraction,” he said.
“There is a change that will happen, but it is not necessarily going to be a bad thing.
“It will give us an opportunity to access the beach around other sections and looking at improving some of the infrastructure.”
Mr Halton said discussions around the future of the drive would begin within the next 12 to 18 months.
He said council would start lobbying State and Federal Government’s to assist with the realignment of the road.
Member for MacKillop Nick McBride said erosion had been recognised as a “substantial and ongoing challenge” and would require coordination, planning and investment.
“I will continue to advocate for regional councils with responsibilities for coastline to be supported by the State Government to address and adapt to our changing coastline,” he said.
