Rock groyne plan to help save Portsea front beach abandoned in disappointing decision
Yet another plan to save Portsea beach has been hatched. This one involves creating a rock groyne east of the pier. But not everyone thinks it’s a good idea.
South East
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A costly move that ‘defies logic” has ruled out any chance of a beach at Portsea this summer, says Mornington Peninsula Shire.
The council wanted the Department of Environment Land and Water to build a groyne using rocks from a temporary bundt created last year to protect workers repairing an existing sandbag wall.
A scientific model by coastal and ocean engineering consultant Water Technology suggested a groyne would help restore the beach by promoting sand accumulation.
However, DELWP has ruled out any “additional protective structures” at Portsea front beach.
Mornington Peninsula mayor Sam Hearn said it was “deeply disappointing” that the “sensible option” had been rejected.
“Despite our best efforts to work with DELWP to realise this cost-effective solution, the rock bund has been removed at significant expense to the taxpayer and we are back to square one,” he said.
“There’ll be no beach at Portsea for the community this summer.”
Cr Hugh Fraser said DELWP’s decision “defies logic”. “I am very disappointed that this achievable plan has been totally frustrated,” he said.
Environment Minister Lily D’Ambrosio committed to restore the beach about two years ago, Cr Bryan Payne said..
”Here we are in 2020 with waves still crashing into a temporary sand bag wall,” he said.
“This has been a wasted opportunity that ultimately denies locals and visitors the opportunity to enjoy a great public amenity.”
In its latest update on Portsea beach works DELWP said as the sandbag wall repairs were completed “toe rocks” would be reinstated at the eastern end of the beach.
“These will help to protect the base of the sandbag seawall. The surplus rock from the bund is being removed,” the update states.
The council announced the latest plan to restore the beach by building a groyne on June 26.
“The rock is due to be removed by DELWP at the conclusion of the (sandbag) wall repairs so this option seems like a cost effective, medium term solution to reinstate the beach for the community,” Cr Hearn said.
The plan was also supported by Nepean MP Chris Brayne and Shadow Attorney-General, Ed O’Donohue.
The once healthy and popular Portsea beach was 30 metres wide and 600 metres long before sand started disappearing about ten years ago.
A temporary sandbag wall was built in 2010 following controversial dredging in 2008-09 to deepen the shipping channel so super-sized container ships could access Melbourne’s port.
Work on replacing the sandbag wall began in October 2019 and was expected to be completed this month.
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