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Melina Bath questions Labor's dune reconstruction plan at Inverloch Surf Beach, calls for transparency

Melina Bath has questioned Labor's Environment Minister on the Inverloch Dune Reconstruction Project, criticising its focus on dune nourishment and lack of transparency regarding funding, alternative solutions, and community concerns.

By news@gippsland - 31st January 2025 - Back to News

The Nationals' Melina Bath has questioned Labor's Minister for the Environment on the Dune Reconstruction Project at Inverloch surf beach. Ms Bath said concerned residents found an update, released by Member for Bass, Jordan Crugnale raised more questions than it had answered, prompting her to seek answers from the Minister.

Melina Bath noted the $3.3 million grant covers only a third of the $10 million plan, questioning Labor's spending transparency and whether all best-practice coastal protection options were considered

Coastal protection concerns

Ms Bath said, "The Allan Labor government appears to be solely focused on a 'retreat' option despite the Cape to Cape Resilience draft plan being met with a tsunami of community opposition. The letter confirms Labor is only planning for a dune renourishment strategy to tackle coastal erosion, with tenders going out late in 2025 - it dismisses other options including hard engineering without any transparent analysis."

Ms Bath said a $3.3 million grant received in 2022 is only one third of the funds required for the larger Cape to Cape Resilience Plan which was estimated to cost over $10 million. "Labor needs to come clean on how much of the federal funding grant has been spent on external consultants and did the government's terms of reference consider all best practice options for coastal protection?"

Inverloch erosion concerns

Ms Bath said, "Many locals are justifiably sceptical that a project that only replaces lost sand and begins late this year, is likely to be a waste of time. It is a temporary measure; the surf lifesaving club and other public and private infrastructure will remain vulnerable to erosion from tides and storm surges. The Allan government has taken many years to author a draft report that makes recommendations which overwhelmingly do not reflect community sentiment."

"There is clearly a significant funding shortfall, and it appears the Allan government is doing everything to avoid picking up the tab for coastal erosion mitigation works in Bass Coast. Labor can't manage money, can't manage coastal erosion and Inverloch residents are paying the price," she said. Labor's Minister for Environment has 30 days to answer Ms Bath's questions on notice following their lodgement.

Pictures from Melina Bath MP Facebook page.

Source: http://gippsland.com/

Published by: news@gippsland.com