THE RIP
  • Home
  • News
  • What's on
  • Digital Editions
  • Directory
  • Real Estate
    • Featured Property
  • Gallery

Disappearing beach prompts safety fears 

31/3/2016

0 Comments

 
Picture
An annual junior surfing event may be forced to move from Point Lonsdale to Ocean Grove because of safety concerns posed by the eroding front beach. 

The Point Lonsdale Boardrider’s Club (PLBRC) is concerned rocks now prominent on the disappearing coastline pose a genuine risk to participants of its popular Grom’s Day Out.

President Ross Bird has urged authorities to start looking at remedies to stem the loss of sand, including the possible re- installation of timber groynes. 

“Photographs from the past show the Point Lonsdale front beach with a sandy beach, with limited rocks. Surfers from the 50s,60s and 70s remember a very different beach than is there today. Yes, there have always been rocks on the beach but today most of the beach area opposite the shops has rocks exposed,” Mr Bird told The Rip.

“It has been suggested that the original series of wooden groynes is the best solution. Unlike a solid rock wall, the wooden groynes allow water to pass through but traps the sand. 

“I believe its time we put our heads together and came up with a solution that reclaims the sand. I doubt it will be cheap but it will benefit locals, tourists and also the local economy that will suffer if we don’t have a beach,” he said. 

The Grom’s Day Out is scheduled to take place on Sunday April 10. Traditionally it attracts upwards of 50 junior surfers. 

The Club will make a decision in coming days on whether or not to shift the event to Ocean Grove, Mr Bird said. 

Point Lonsdale Morning Swimmers Group member Mandy Grbac echoed Mr Bird's concerns: “On fuller tides, we have had to change where we enter the water as the rocks and the old groynes are razor sharp and a number of hands and feet have been cut over the summer.

“It’s a very dangerous environment especially when you see young kids who love surfing ‘off the wall’ - once the surf is at high tide it hits the wall and gives a free ride back out again.”

Mrs Grbac said concerns were raised at a meeting with Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning (DELWP) officials late last year, but appear to have fallen on deaf ears. 

“I voiced my opinion at that meeting back then but I don’t think they listened, hence they only continued with the building of the rock wall below the bowling club but no groynes. It’s a no brainer,” she said. 

A Borough of Queenscliffe spokesperson said recent weather had contributed to “short term erosion” at the beach. 

“All beaches along the coast can be impacted by erosion. Sand levels on local beaches rise and fall. Short-term coastal erosion is a normal coastal process and natural occurrence,” she said. 

"DELWP and the Borough of Queenscliffe are monitoring sand movement at the Point Lonsdale Bight and if new structures are required we will work with the community on how they will look and where they will be located.

“The beach is still open and available for normal coastal uses including surfing, fishing, walking, swimming and surfing. People should remain aware that there may be less sand to play on with exposed bedrock, bluestone rubble and old wooden groyne pylons now visible.”

The Department is preparing sand monitoring guidelines to better understand and record sand movements at Point Lonsdale. 

“Residents and interested groups will be asked to provide regular photos and measurements of sand levels on the beach,” said DELWP Senior Environmental Planner Frances Northeast. 

More than $300,000 has been spent on remedial works at the beach in the past 12 months - chiefly on a new rock wall at the base of the playground. 
​
Further works to repair the bluestone seawall are due to start this month. 
0 Comments

Your comment will be posted after it is approved.


Leave a Reply.

    THE RIP NEWS BLOG

    Local news, sport and lifestyle stories. If you would like to submit a story please contact Carmel Christensen.

    Categories

    All
    Local Lifestyle
    Local News
    Local Sport

    Archives

    April 2022
    February 2022
    November 2021
    October 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    November 2020
    October 2020
    August 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    January 2020
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    July 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    February 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015

THERIP.COM.AU  
​news   |   events  |   lifestyle   |   Queenscliff   |   Point Lonsdale

"We would love you to share your stories,  tell us what you think about our new website  or perhaps you would  like to take advantage of our excellent advertising rates. Please note views expressed are not necessarily those of the editor.  

Contact us

The Editor:
Carmel Christensen 
51 Mercer St
Queenscliff VIC 3225

Ph: (03) 5258 4131
​Email:  catilm@bigpond.net.au
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RipRumour
Website design by Kylie Crane  © 2015
  • Home
  • News
  • What's on
  • Digital Editions
  • Directory
  • Real Estate
    • Featured Property
  • Gallery