PARTS of Beachport could be flooded during large sea surges if coastal erosion is not kept in check as a matter of urgency, Wattle Range Council heard recently.
Council engineering services director Peter Halton told council’s monthly meeting last Tuesday if Post Office Rock’s coastal erosion expands to Salmon Hole “we’ll have water coming into a portion of the town during king tides or large sea surges”.
“Furthermore, Scenic Drive behind Post Office Rock could be at risk if coastal erosion causes foundational damage – it could become a full-blown erosion point through that area,” he said.
“Although it is a long-term problem to manage, it is certainly an urgent issue.”
Mr Halton updated councillors on the current state of erosion at Post Office Rock and council’s planned works in the area.
Significant erosion has occurred at the site and Salmon Hole over the past 40 years and a 2010 report highlighted the risk of inundation of the town’s low-lying areas as a result of a breach of the dune.
In August this year there were only two to three metres of sand (measured horizontally) protecting Scenic Drive at a common sand boarding site next to the road.
At the car park there were around three metres of sand protecting low-laying coastal vegetation which ultimately led to the road, and at the “middle blowout” only one metre of sand protection was left for coastal vegetation.
Council carried a motion for immediate action to be taken at the Scenic Drive erosion site which would include a “brushing technique”.
It involves embedding coastal wattle prunings vertically into the dune in an effort to stabilise it.
It it not expected the prunings would grow, but their branches and leaves should assist in capturing wind-blown sand and that seeds may propagate.
In addition pedestrian access to that part of the dune will be restricted and signage will be installed to improve community awareness.
Information sheets will also be distributed to caravan parks and the visitor information centre.
In respect of the two other sites investigations were under way to assess option to reduce the rate of erosion and understand the impacts of erosion on nearby infrastructure.
Council carried a second motion to seek funding from State Government to assist with the overall project.
