Ongoing coastal erosion at Kilcunda will force the closure of a section of the Bass Coast Rail Trail from 26 August, as Bass Coast Shire Council takes action to protect community safety.
The section of the trail is located behind the Lionel Rose carpark between the Kilcunda Cemetery and the Bourne Creek Trestle Bridge.
This stretch of coastline has been experiencing significant erosion for some time. In December last year, the beach access at this same location was closed and temporary fencing erected because of erosion and now recent weather conditions has accelerated the erosion with a further 2 metres of the dune being washed away.
As a result, the edge of the trail is now significantly closer to the erosion point. While the trail remains open at present, conditions have reached a stage where Council needs to plan for its closure to ensure the ongoing safety of trail users
Bass Coast Mayor, Cr Brett Tessari explained that this was inevitable, but we'd hoped it was a bit further off.
"Coastal erosion and the effects of climate change have been battering our region, and this is just another example of it," Cr Tessari explained.
"It's disappointing that we have to take this kind of action, it was only a few weeks ago that I was out there looking at the erosion and to see it accelerate so quickly is shocking."
To maintain access through the area, a detour will be in place via the staircase to the Lionel Rose car park. The detour is suitable for pedestrians only, other trail users will need to turn around at the closure point. Signage will be installed, and we encourage anyone planning to use the trail to check the route and allow extra time for their journey.
The closure will be in place from Wednesday, 26 August indefinitely. Council is currently investigating options to re-route the trail.
