Planned Beach Nourishment Works Ahead of Summer
Published on 27 November 2024
To prepare for summer and strengthen resilience to coastal erosion, a series of beach nourishment projects will soon kick off along the Great Ocean Road.
These essential works—designed to replenish sand and protect the region’s beach areas, infrastructure, and natural surroundings —will be underway at Skenes Creek, Apollo Bay, and Mounts Bay.
Beach nourishment, proven to be a reliable and effective defence against erosion, will begin later this next week and will cease prior to the summer holiday period.
Skenes Creek will be the first cab off the rank, where sand sourced from the Point Bunbury Groyne will be transported by road to the site. This will provide crucial protection for the staircases, the car park, and foreshore areas in and around Skenes Creek.
In Apollo Bay, nourishment activities will focus on reducing erosion at the southern end of the revetment. To achieve this, sand will be sourced from the southern side of the Wild Dog Creek Groyne, shoring the beach area against erosion and helping to protect local infrastructure.
The final phase of work will take place at Mounts Bay, where nourishment efforts are aimed at protecting the road and essential services in the area. Informed by an evidence-based approach, our plan involves harvesting sand from the south of Point Bunbury.
These works are being carefully timed to minimise disruption to a new family of hooded plover chicks recently observed on the Barham River spit. Active monitoring of hooded plovers is central to our approach, ensuring their protection throughout the process.
Community members and visitors are encouraged to observe all safety signage and be mindful of heavy equipment being operated in and around these work areas. We thank everyone for their understanding and patience as we progress these important protection works along the coast.
Quotes to be attributed to Great Ocean Road Coast and Parks Authority Acting Climate Action and Resilience Manager Jesse Parsons-Jones:
“Community members and visitors alike can look forward to seeing these areas revitalised with fresh sand and added coastal protection, just in time for summer.”
“Beach nourishment is proven to be a consistent and effective approach, acting as the first line of defence to shield the coast from storm surges."
“These beach nourishment works are short-to-medium term, as we continue to implement the long-term management of coastal hazards through local and regional adaptation planning.
“We’re asking all locals and visitors to be mindful of the large trucks and equipment, follow onsite signage, and avoid the areas where the nourishment is being undertaken.”