Developing a Coastal Adaptation Plan for Anglesea

Published on 16 February 2024

The Great Ocean Road coastline is diverse, dynamic and always changing.

From Point Roadknight to Demon's Bluff, on Wadawurrung Country, we can see how waves, storms, and rising sea levels are shaping Anglesea’s coastline. These natural forces also bring hazards like erosion, cliff failure, and flooding, which can impact the way we access and enjoy the coast.

With this in mind, we are developing a Coastal Adaptation Plan for Anglesea. This plan aims to better understand and plan for short and long-term erosion, storm tide inundation, estuary dynamics, and cliff failure.

Our approach is following the direction of the Marine and Coastal Policy 2020 and Victoria’s Resilient Coast – Adapting for 2100+ framework and guidelines.

We're in the early stages of planning and eager for locals and visitors to have a say.

We’re inviting community and key stakeholders to share their knowledge, interests, values, and concerns with us to inform future stages of the project, and together, we can plan for the future of the Anglesea coast.

We’re kicking things off with a series of community Walk and Talks at Point Roadnight, follow by pop-up stalls at the Anglesea Twilight Market, the Anglesea Primary School Village Fair and two Community Workshops.

While there are many steps involved in coastal hazard adaptation, exploring and understanding community knowledge and values of our coastline are at the heart of the process.

How to get involved:

As we progress this project, local knowledge will provide a foundation for confirming coastal values and objectives, understanding coastal processes, and tailoring adaptation options.

Background

The lands, waters, seas and skies in Anglesea have been cared for and nurtured by Wadawurrung Traditional Owners for countless generations.

Coastal hazards are a reality for most Great Ocean Road communities which requires us to start planning for the future and consider how to manage both short and long-term impacts of coastal processes including erosion, storm tide inundation, estuary dynamics, and cliff failure.

We're developing an Anglesea Coastal Adaptation Plan (CAP) to enhance the resilience of the Anglesea coast, and both reduce and prevent the adverse impacts of coastal hazards.

We’re developing the plan in partnership with locals, visitors, community groups and key stakeholders who value Anglesea.

Quotes attributable to Great Ocean Road Coast and Parks Authority Manager Climate Action and Resilience, Leia Howes

“We're excited to be leading a project that values both local and Traditional Owner knowledge and the latest science, to build a plan for a more sustainable and resilient future for the Anglesea coast."

"As the coastline from Anglesea Back Beach to Demons Bluff continues to weather the impacts of climate change, the development of a Coastal Adaptation Plan is a crucial step in safeguarding its future.”

“As we progress this project, local knowledge will provide a foundation for confirming coastal values and objectives, understanding coastal processes, and tailoring adaptation options.”

“I encourage all those who love Anglesea to get involved and connect with us at one of the many opportunities to have a say throughout the upcoming engagement period.”