Shaping a resilient Great Ocean Road coast
Published on 27 November 2024
We are creating a new plan to respond to coastal hazard impacts from Torquay to Warrnambool.
Our coast is dynamic and ever-changing with natural processes such as erosion, storm tide inundation, and cliff failure shaping the coastline we see today.
To help us strengthen resilience now and into the future, we’re developing a Regional Coastal Adaptation Plan to manage coastal hazard risks across the region.
We're in the early stages of planning and eager for locals and visitors to have their say.
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.
We’re inviting locals and visitors to share their knowledge, values, photos, and perspectives about the coast to inform the project.
Local knowledge will provide a foundation for confirming coastal values and objectives, coastal processes, and tailoring adaptation options.
A grant from Victoria’s Resilient Coast grants program supports this vital work, which aligns with the Marine and Coastal Policy 2020 and Victoria’s Resilient Coast – Adapting for 2100+ framework and guidelines.
This project builds upon the existing site based coastal adaption plans at locations such as Point Grey, Mother’s Beach, Eastern View and Point Impossible, which inform onsite works such as beach nourishments and dune stabilisation works currently taking place along the coast.
With a changing coast and climate, we must continue to adapt and prepare for impacts like increased wave action, storm activity and sea level rise.
Quotes attributed to Director of Infrastructure and Planning Cath Olive:
“Our coast is dynamic and ever-changing, so to help us strengthen resilience now and into the future, we're creating a Regional Coastal Adaptation Plan.”
“Natural coastal processes such as erosion, storm tide inundation, and cliff failure continue to change and shape the coastline we see today.”
"We’re asking all who love this iconic coastline to get involved, find out more and have their say.”
Image: Community Engagement Coordinator, Andy Bell, fills a wave tank to simulate wave action.
Image: Wave tank in action.