Bass Coast Shire Council is committed to being transparent about how it manages coastal erosion and risk across the region, including at Inverloch Surf Beach.
For the last four years, Council has allocated a dedicated annual budget of approximately $150,000 under its Coastal Risk Management Program.
This funding is used to respond to urgent coastal erosion issues across Bass Coast, including at key, high-risk locations such as Inverloch, Silverleaves, Cowes and Kilcunda.
The average expenditure at Inverloch has been approximately $61,000 per year and up until this current financial year, has been relatively low. This reflects the relatively mild weather conditions during this period, following the installation of a sandbag sea wall in front of the Surf Life Saving Club building in 2020/21.
Coastal erosion is highly dependent on prevailing wind and wave conditions. For example, in some years, such as between 2021 and 2024, sand naturally builds up (accretes) on the Inverloch surf beach. In other years, like this one, strong winds and waves result in sand being eroded from the beach and transported eastward toward Point Norman and into Anderson Inlet.
This financial year (2024/25) will see a significant increase in investment at Inverloch Surf Beach with $330,000 allocated for coastal works.
Across Bass Coast more broadly, the Coast Risk Management Program has supported projects at Silverleaves, Cowes and Cowes East. In 2023/24, $46,000 from this program was used for sand renourishment at Silverleaves. The Victorian Government's Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA) has contributed $60,000 to this work.
In total, DEECA has contributed $164,000 to the sand renourishment works undertaken across Bass Coast since 2021/22.
Council continues to work closely with DEECA and advocate to both State and Federal Government on behalf of the Bass Coast community. Monitoring and responding to coastal conditions will also continue. As erosion risks vary from year to year, Council's approach to budgeting for these works will remain flexible.
To learn more about coastal erosion management or view past project updates, visit Engage Bass Coast.
