Lang Lang boatsheds and foreshore caravan park could be gone in seven years

The future of Lang Lang’s historic boatsheds is under a cloud after owners were told it would cost too much to protect them from rising sea levels.

Boatshed owners are demanding answers after being told their “little piece of paradise” is on the chopping block over fears it will be too costly to protect it from rising sea levels predicted for the year 2100.

The Lang Lang Boatshed Association has warned owners of 33 sheds on the shores of Western Port Bay the beloved structures will be “torn down” and no compensation offered.

The Herald Sun understands several boatshed owners have already been told by the state government their structures would be removed immediately.

In an email to its members the boatshed association also said the Lang Lang Foreshore Reserve Caravan Park would be “removed and closed”.

The Lang Lang Foreshore Caravan Park could be closed. Picture: Supplied.

The shocking message was sent just hours before owners attended an online meeting on Thursday organised by the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action to discuss “adaptation pathways” for the area.

Boatshed owner Kelly Chuck left the meeting without a “clear plan” but felt the loss of her beloved holiday was “a done deal”.

The single mum bought her boatshed about 12 years ago for $25,000 and had since spent $30,000 rebuilding it.

“It is my bliss, my little piece of paradise that my family and I love,” she said.

“My grandmother’s ashes are scattered there, my sister’s kids have grown up there.”

Kelly Chuck spent $30,000 rebuilding her Lang Lang boatshed. Picture: supplied

Boatshed owners have to apply for a yearly lease for their structures and sleeping in them is prohibited.

The caravan park was hit by king tides in 2023 leading to extreme flooding and up to a dozen sink holes.

In response to the major flood the government commissioned maritime-oriented technical consultant BMT to assess the risks posed by sea level rises and how the site could respond to climate change over the next 80 years.

BMT found the seawalls protecting the site from flooding were “in poor condition” and had a “high chance of failure”.

Senior principal engineer for BMT’s coastal team Christian Taylor told boatshed owners at Thursday’s webinar the site, which was already subject to major flooding about once every ten years, could expect flooding several times a year by 2060.

“By 2100 it will be happening very frequently,” he said.

Flooding at Lang Lang Caravan Park could become a common occurrence.

When ranking options to deal with sea level rises he said the “best possible thing” was to let nature take its course.

“The best possible thing, if we can, is to do nothing,” Mr Taylor said.

“It allows the natural processes to take place.”

The second best option was to avoid having assets in hazard areas.

“That’s difficult when you’ve already got a problem such as we have here,” he said.

It would cost up to $3m to upgrade or raise the seawall but that measure would not prevent flooding beyond 2040, Mr Taylor said.

He said with only minimal intervention, the caravan park could be forced to close as soon as 2032.

“We’re saying 10-20 years, but it could be as soon as seven years if we get a whole series of events in quick succession and a whole lot of damage that can’t be maintained.”

Major work including building a higher seawall or relocating the park had been ruled out because it did not align with state government coastal policy and had a $30m price tag.

Mr Taylor said the only realistic “adaptation pathways”were the progressive closure of the park as areas were damaged or became unsafe, or minor works on the existing seawall to protect the northern part of the site.

DEECA Gippsland regional director Darrin McKenzie said the adaptation pathways were “very much open to consultation”.

“We will be working closely with the community to examine all options, including maintaining access to caravan sites and camping spots where it is safe to do so,” Mr McKenzie said.

Corinella man Anthony Stinson says it will be a shame if the Lang Lang Foreshore Caravan Park has to close. Picture: Jack Colantuono

Corinella man Anthony Stinson said he had been to the Lang Lang Foreshore Caravan Park a couple of times and it was “close to home”.

“It’s a beautiful spot — it’s convenient, it’s great,” the 60-year-old said.

He said it would be a “great shame” if the park were to close down.

“It’s just a normal weekend here and it’s very popular, there’s already people pulling in,” Mr Stinson said.

“So it would be a great shame for people who like to come here and for the local community — I’m sure it generates a bit of business for them as well.”