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Cowes main beach starts dune and beach re-nourishment project from 4 September 2023

Cowes Main Beach Sand Renourishment: 5-7 Days to Protect Assets. Responds to Erosion Threat. Prioritises Western Section. Utilises Excess Sand from Boat Ramp Upgrade. Minimal Disruption Expected. $67K Australian government Grant Funded.

By news@gippsland - 4th September 2023 - Back to News

Wednesday 06 September: Please note these works will potentially commence a week later than anticipated. Works to renourish the dunes and upper beach at the Cowes Main Beach will commence on Monday 4 September. Bass Coast Shire Council will oversee sand transportation by trucks from the Cowes Boat Ramp and placement on the beach area between the Cowes Jetty and Mussell Rocks. The sand re-nourishment works will take around 5 to 7 days of suitable tides to complete.

In 2019, eastern beach sand re-nourishment occurred, followed by 2020 indigenous plant stabilisation, erosion control measures, including fencing and stairs, yielding significant enhancements

Addressing beach erosion

These maintenance works are in response to wave erosion that has occurred at the site over several years. The resultant loss of sand from the beach placed important public infrastructure and assets at risk. These assets include the grassed embankment, beach access structures and the sandy beach itself.

In 2018 council commissioned Water Technology to undertake a coastal processes analysis of the Cowes Main Beach to determine the best approach for managing erosion. This re-nourishment work delivers on the recommendations of that report.

Sand renourishment works were last conducted in 2019 at the eastern section of the beach. In 2020, indigenous plants were established to stabilise the sand dune and protect the embankment. Works were also undertaken to minimise erosion caused by pedestrian access. This included the construction of fencing and a second set of timber stairs. Together, these works have achieved some important improvements.

Beach re-nourishment update

The upcoming re-nourishment work will focus on the western section of the beach, with some minor maintenance of the eastern area also to be conducted. The Cowes Boat Ramp will supply the sand for the renourishment works. During the current boat ramp upgrade project, a significant quantity of sand has accumulated at the construction site and will need to be removed. Using this excess sand to renourish the nearby Cowes Main Beach is an efficient use of the resource.

There will be minimal disruption as the works are programmed during a time of the year where public use is near its lowest. However, beach users may experience some inconvenience, especially at the beach access ramp located west of the Cowes Jetty.

This sand re-nourishment will cost $67,000 and is fully funded by a grant council secured from the Australian government. For further information please contact council's Coast and Bushland Team on 1300 BCOAST (226 278) or (03) 5671 2211.

Pictures from Bass Coast Shire Council website.

Source: www.gippsland.com

Published by: news@gippsland.com