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Targeting Erosion at Cowes

Sand will be brought in to Cowes Main Beach in response to coastal erosion.

By Portal Admin - 13th October 2019 - Back to News

Works are about to start to transport sand to Cowes Main Beach in response to coastal erosion.

The work will take place between Monday, 14 October and Friday, 8 November and will see sand trucked from the Cowes (Anderson Road) Boat Ramp via road to the bay area between the Cowes Jetty and Mussel Rocks.

The project is being completed with $78,200 from the Victorian Government’s Protection of Victoria’s Iconic Beaches project and $15,000 from Bass Coast Shire Council.

This work is being completed in response to ongoing wave erosion and loss of sand from the beach, which puts important public infrastructure and assets at risk. These assets include the grassed embankment and beach access structures.

"If left untreated, continued erosion will threaten to reduce the beach area available for people to enjoy," Bass Coast Shire Mayor, Cr Brett Tessari said.

"The Cowes Main Beach foreshore is an iconic location for our community and visitors and we need to make sure we are protecting it for future generations."

The Cowes Boat Ramp has been identified as a suitable site for the supply of sand for the project, as sand is normally removed from the ramp on a daily basis as part of maintenance works. Trucks will access the Jetty Triangle via Bass Avenue in order to ensure that movement down Thompson Avenue is avoided.

Revegetation works are planned for 2020, when weather conditions are more suitable for plant establishment.

In 2018, Council engaged Water Technology to undertake an investigation into coastal processes effecting the Cowes Main Beach and recommend measures to mitigate erosion and ensure that the area remains a valuable community asset. This investigation recommended importing sand to the beach, combined with revegetation as the most suitable option.

Works are being done outside of peak holiday and event periods including, Australian Moto GP and Melbourne Cup Weekend. This includes days prior to and after the Moto GP.

For more information on the project, please contact Council’s Sustainable Environment Team on 1300 BCOAST (226 278) or (03) 5671 2211.

Source: www.gippsland.com

Published by: support@gippsland.com