Surf Coast Times
Tuesday 7 June 2011
VOL 9. No 23
www.surfcoasttimes.com.au
FREE WEEKLY
1 % 7 7 - : ) 6 - 4 ' 9 6 0 & 3 % 6 ( 7 % 0 ) X L X L . 9 2 ) 83659%=
Aireys Inlet will host four of the stars of last year’s Open Mic Festival this Saturday night at a special Wintersong performance. The quartet will perform and discuss their craft at the event, which will feature Tim Wood (left) pictured with organiser, Marty Maher. See full story page 9.
Photo: ELEANOR WOODS
WASHED AWAY Fairhaven ramp the first major casualty as erosion concerns hit the coast
BY NATHAN HALE
THE GREAT Ocean Road Coast Committee is tackling the delicate issue of beachside erosion by undertaking a study into the naturally occurring phenomenon. The study comes as GORCC was last week forced to close the beach access ramp at Fairhaven after the cement structure split in two. A combination of king tides, heavy rainfall through summer and autumn and large swells have contributed to the erosion along beaches from Point Impossible through to Lorne. GORCC coastal projects co-ordinator, Mike Bodsworth, said erosion was an ongoing concern along all coastal stretches. He said the study will help identify the best option to take in tackling the problem.
Surf Forecast
“Erosion of sandy shores by high tides and seas is a natural process that may increase as a result of climate change and sea level rise,” he said. “Trying to prevent damage of this kind is extremely difficult and erosion mitigation actions need to be carefully planned. “It’s common for hard structures like ramps, walls, fences and stairways, to be affected by erosion along sandy shorelines. When sand is washed away from around hard structures, they lose their support and can collapse. “The Great Ocean Road Coast Committee takes care to monitor and maintain coastal structures to ensure all facilities are safe for public use. “The study will inform us about what erosion mitigation options might be available and the final draft of the report has been received for review.”
The Fairhaven beach access ramp is the first structure to be severely damaged by erosion this year, and people using ramps and associated paths close to beaches are being advised to use caution. GORCC has erected barriers to prevent public access to the ramp and it will remain closed until the site is safe. A decision on what to do with the Fairhaven ramp has yet to be made, but the affected portion of the ramp may be demolished following a coastal engineering review to be completed shortly by GORCC and the Department of Sustainability and Environment (DSE). Discussions are being held with Fairhaven Surf Life Saving Club to identify and implement strategies for restoring public access. At present the beach is still accessible via another nearby ramp.
The damaged Fairhaven beach access ramp.
WED 4-6ft+ solid SSW 14° THU 4-6ft+ solid S 14° FRI 2-4ft easing S 14° SAT 1-2ft+ small S 14°
PAGE
90