Coastal clean-up after wild weekend

The Great Ocean Road Coast Committee’s foreshore rangers are busily assessing the impact of a wild weekend on the coast.

Great Ocean Road Coast’s Coastal Reserves Manager Caleb Hurrell thanked members of the public who have helped the team to identify areas in need of attention up and down the coastline.

“We’ve seen trees down, sand lost from some beaches and widespread coastal erosion, which are common occurrences in winter.”

Fallen branch at Lorne baths, storm damage
Fallen branch near Lorne Sea Baths, Lorne. Photo: Lorne Foreshore team.

“Most of the sand lost during winter storms returns with the calmer weather building beaches back up again during summer.”

“A cliff fall at Soapy Rocks in Anglesea occurred, which now has warning signage in place.  The area will continue to be monitored.”

“Otherwise, beach access stairs at Spout Creek and 12th Avenue at Point Roadknight have been severely damaged and are closed. Both will need to be replaced.”

12th Ave stair damage from storm. Photo from Instagram @livelovebeach
Stair damage at 12th Avenue beach access in Anglesea. Photo: @livelovebackbeach, Instagram.

Mr Hurrell said following difficult conditions and rising waters last week, foreshore rangers also successfully opened the estuary at Spring Creek in Torquay on Monday.

Spring Creek opening 18 June
Spring Creek mouth after reopening to reduce flood waters. Photo: GORCC staff.

Mr Hurrell said the team had been busy over the past few weeks, building three new bridges on the Torquay Common and new access stairs at Torquay Back Beach and at Jan Juc.

IMG_9884
New stair replacement at Voss’ car park, Torquay. Photo: GORCC staff.

“Winter is challenging for the team and we’re pleased to be able to adapt to the changing conditions and continue to provide access points to the spectacular coast between Torquay and Lorne.

Stair repairs at Fishermans Beach, Torquay
Stair repairs by Great Ocean Road Coast foreshore rangers at a beach access on Fishermans Beach, Torquay after storm surges cause erosion and sand drift. Photo: GORCC staff.

The Great Ocean Road Coast Committee manages the opening of Spring Creek and Erskine River in Lorne, when conditions require it.

The Great Ocean Road Coast Committee is a not-for-profit organisation that manages 37km of public land and coastline from Torquay to Lorne.  All dollars raised through our commercial operations are reinvested back into the coastal environment, caravan parks and the community.

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