WORK to protect Southend and Beachport’s crumbling coastlines will receive a $180,000 boost from the South Australian Government as part of a statewide effort to combat coastal erosion.
The lion’s share will go to remedial works along the Rivoli Bay coastline – including the Beachport seawall – as well as an $11,000 grant for short animated videos which will explain coastal processes in simple terms.
The Beachport Coastal Adaptation Study has received a grant of $30,000.
The other successful project was a $60,000 contribution to the Rivoli Bay Modelling project.
Environment Minister David Speirs said South Australia’s coastlines were at risk of erosion, flooding and sand dune drift, which are being exacerbated by rising sea levels.
“The State Government with the Coast Protection Board are providing practical support through around $5m in funding to councils, researchers and community groups so we can work together to restore and protect the state’s pristine coastline,” Mr Speirs said.
“South Australia’s coastline is the first defence against a changing climate and beaches are often at the heart of our regional communities’ economies.
“This funding will help deliver improved environmental outcomes and boost jobs in our regions.”
Wattle Range Mayor Des Noll said he welcomed the State Government action.
“I was pleased to hear the announcement from Environment Minister David Speirs this week and I was chuffed to receive a personal note from him.” Mr Noll said.
“He recognised council’s fantastic commitment to coastal protection to date and the State Government is backing us.”
Member for MacKillop Nick McBride said councils in the South East were leaders when it came to coastal adaption strategy.
“It’s very pleasing to see multiple councils in the South East receive funding for crucial works to restore our coastline,” said Mr McBride.
“We have some of the best beaches in the state in the South East and our local councils are doing some fantastic innovative work to protect them for future generations.”
Of the allocation, the Southend beach access and groyne repair has received $25,000
Beach access is highly valued by the Southend community and erosion has impacted on the treated timber stair structures that have been installed historically.
The Southend Adaptation Strategy identified the need to provide safe beach access and this project will build beach access into the groyne to ensure it is protected from high energy waves.
Council has allocated funding towards this project; however, maintenance works on the stairs alone is considered to be a very short-term solution.
It is proposed to improve the shape of the groyne where it connects to Eyre Street and to build beach access into this groyne.
This will provide built in protection for the beach access, rather than repairing or replacing an ageing structure that is subjected to extreme ocean conditions and erosion.
Stage 1 of the project is the design and start of works.
It is likely that further funding and time will be required to complete the project in 2020/21.
The creation of three short animated videos to explain coastal processes based on recent investigations and coastal studies will cost $11,000.
Traditionally, the findings of these reports are communicated to the public through a single workshop or information sheets.
Given the complex nature of the topics and the wide range of people impacted by coastal processes, a one-off approach is no longer considered to be appropriate.
It is proposed to create a series of approximately 2-minute animations with voiceovers that can be shared on social media and hosted on council’s website that are relevant to any high energy coastline with dunes.
The preparation of a coastal adaptation strategy for Beachport including technical review and extensive community consultation will cost $30,000.
The Beachport Adaptation Strategy will inform future decision making and investment by identifying private and public assets at risk and possible mitigation or adaptation strategies.
Overall, this project will follow a similar methodology to the Southend Adaptation Strategy, on a larger and more complex scale. The project area will include the Beachport township, rural living at Muggleton, proposed development adjacent to Lake George, the Surf Beach and around to the Bowman Scenic Drive.
