Monitoring coastal erosion in Anglesea

The Great Ocean Road coast is constantly changing.

While Victoria has a long history of weather variability such as storms, droughts and floods, climate change is projected to increase risks to coastal environments through drivers such as sea-level rise, change in wave-direction and increases in swell energy and storm tide events. These drivers affect coastal erosion, sediment supply and inundation and are expected to vary geographically across Victoria’s coastal zone.

The Victorian Coastal Monitoring Program (VCMP) aims to provide communities with information on coastal condition, change, hazards, and the expected longer-term impacts associated with climate change that will support decision making and adaptation planning.Led by the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning (DELWP), the program is being implemented in partnership with community groups, university institutions, and public land managers including the Great Ocean Road Coast Committee (GORCC). This valuable research will help inform options to minimise the impacts of coastal erosion and understand the impacts of climate change on our coastal environments.

Several sites along the Victorian coast have been chosen for inclusion in the study, including GORCC managed land at Point Roadknight and Demons Bluff in Anglesea. Data collected from the mapping software will be interpreted and used to assist in the planning of future works along the coast.

To help monitor our shorelines, two members from GORCC’s conservation team are currently undertaking training with Deakin University in the use of small aerial drones.  As part of the program, GORCC will coordinate with four local citizen scientists participating in the program.

To find out more about the program and future opportunities to be involved as a citizen scientist, head to www.coastsandmarine.vic.gov.au/coastal-programs/victorian-coastal-monitoring-program.

GORCC conservation staff during their drone training with Deakin University.

Photos: GORCC conservation staff undertake drone training with Deakin University.

The Great Ocean Road Coast Committee

The Great Ocean Road Coast Committee is a State Government body responsible for protecting, enhancing, and developing coastal Crown land from Point Impossible to Cumberland River.
www.gorcc.com.au