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Silverleaves coastal erosion to be addressed with sand renourishment to allow for dune preservation and improve coastal stability

Collaborative efforts for Silverleaves Coastal Erosion: monitoring, study, and sand renourishment. Council, government, and the community work to address challenges and ensure future coastal resilience.

By news@gippsland - 17th August 2023 - Back to News

Works to renourish the dunes and beach at an area of the Silverleaves foreshore are about to commence. In response to recent erosion from a storm event, sand will be taken from a section of the beach below the high tide line using excavators. The sand will be moved and placed at the dune and upper beach area at the location near Sanders Road.

Dune and beach renourishment from Aug 21, lasting 7-10 days. Minimal beach disruption is expected; users may be guided around work

Adaptive shoreline strategy

Coastlines are dynamic environments that are constantly changing as natural processes like waves, wind and tidal currents shape and reshape the sandy shoreline and dunes. These works are being undertaken as an interim response to erosion to "hold the line" while longer-term options are explored and implemented.

Bass Coast Shire Council and the Victorian government are working together to monitor the shoreline of Silverleaves, Phillip Island for the impacts of coastal erosion and identify measures to be put in place.

Dynamic coast conservation

Bass Coast Shire Mayor, Cr Michael Whelan met with Member for Bass, Jordan Crugnale, representatives of the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA) and Chair of Cowes East Foreshore Preventive Action Group (CEFPAG), Ken Hailey on the foreshore at Silverleaves recently to see the situation first-hand and discuss immediate and long-term actions.

Council, DEECA, the community and researchers have actively monitored the Silverleaves area for many years. This record provides an important backdrop from which to understand the changes observed this winter. Without a sound, scientific understanding of the coastal processes at Silverleaves, poorly considered works could worsen the erosion or transfer the issue further down the beach.

To understand what is happening at the site, the state government is undertaking a Coastal Processes Study which will be conducted over the next few months. The report will determine all options for adapting to climate-change-induced sea level rise, plus increased storm activity over coming years and decades.

Coastal conservation collaboration

The Coastal Processes Study will build on the existing understanding of the currents and dynamics that shape this stretch of coastline; assess hazards such as erosion and inundation, review existing coastal protection infrastructure, and provide options for management that are tailored to the local context. The findings will enable state agencies, council and the community to understand and implement adaptation planning for current and future coastal hazards.

The sand renourishment works are planned to commence in the week of Monday 21 August to take advantage of favourable tides and will take around 7 to 10 working days. Disruptions to beach use during this time should be minimal. For further information on council's response to coastal erosion at Silverleaves, visit the Silverleaves sand renourishment page or 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