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Loch Sport still waiting on erosion action

The walking track at Loch Sport's Seagull Drive boat ramp is being moved again due to ongoing foreshore erosion. Despite multiple promises from State Labor governments, no funding or action has been taken.

By news@gippsland - 26th July 2024 - Back to News

The walking track at Loch Sport's Seagull Drive boat ramp is set to be relocated once again as the community continues to wait for funding to help address the ongoing erosion of the foreshore. The Nationals Member for Gippsland South, Danny O'Brien is extremely frustrated by the sluggish response from consecutive State Labor governments and Environment Ministers over the past decade.

Recent storms have further eroded the Loch Sport foreshore to the point where it is now threatening the Seagull Drive boat ramp car park

Erosion crisis worsens

Mr O'Brien said, "Recent storms have worsened the erosion at Seagull Drive to the point it is now almost eating away at the boat ramp car park and the walking track along the foreshore is being moved again. I was pleased to host Environment Minister Steve Dimopoulos in Loch Sport to see the damage first-hand back in April, but despite assurances, we have still seen no funding or commitment to action."

"We have seen 10 years of reports, consultations, inquiries and no real action or financial commitment by the State Labor government to address the erosion at Lake Victoria foreshore. Including Mr Dimopoulos, four separate Labor MPs have taken on the role of Environment Minister throughout this time and the community and I have made each one of them aware of the issues - but none have acted."

"We need the government to move on from 'considering the issue' to actually acting and implementing long-term solutions to arrest the ongoing erosion," Mr O'Brien said.

Project delays persist

Advice provided on the Engage Victoria website indicates that The Loch Sport Protection Design Project was due to be completed by June 2024. Mr O'Brien said he was optimistic at news that the government is planning to install three new groynes in the Seagull Drive area, but so far it has still not amounted to anything.

"I am concerned at these interminable delays and have again written to the Minister to pass on my concerns and those of the community. I am again calling on the Allan Labor government to end this decade-long debacle and ensure appropriate action and funding is provided to arrest further erosion," Mr O'Brien concluded.

Pictures from Danny O'Brien MP website.

Source: http://gippsland.com/

Published by: news@gippsland.com