The Queenscliff community is being invited to have a say on a project that will examine the impact of erosion on the ‘Narrows’ which links Queenscliff with the Bellarine Peninsula.
Erosion is a naturally occurring process impacting many parts of Victoria’s coastline – a dynamic environment which is impacted by storms that are increasing in severity and frequency due to climate change.
At ‘Dog Beach’ near Queenscliff this erosion is impacting the dune system that forms part of the thin piece of land known as the ‘Narrows’.
To plan for and mitigate these impacts, the Department of Environment Land Water and Planning is working with the Borough of Queenscliffe and key stakeholders to better understand the hazards, risks, and adaptation options for the site.
The project will follow the pathway approach identified in the Marine and Coastal Policy (2020) to inform the development of management actions over time.
It will include an investigation of the coastal processes, asset vulnerability and hazard maps and an adaptation options assessment. Appropriate trigger points will be identified that will prompt realistic short and longer-term adaptation actions for authorities to manage over time.
Additional wave monitoring buoys have also been installed in Port Phillip Bay to inform and help understand sand movement and erosion events.
“Coastal erosion is a naturally occurring challenge facing many areas across Victoria,” DELWP regional manager Gavan Mathieson said.
“In locations where it is negatively impacting important assets, we develop adaptation plans to manage the impacts.”
“We’re really keen to work with locals to discuss the science so everyone has a good understanding of the natural processes at work here and what the realistic management options are.
“Adapting to climate change is a challenge for coastal areas, which are in some ways at the front line. It’s about getting the facts on the table and identifying what options we have to protect critical assets and how we adapt to changes long-term.”
Community engagement on the plan will occur from 10am on Sunday March 27 at Queenscliff ‘Dog Beach’.
The local community can provide valuable insights into how the community values and uses the area, as well as how this coastal environment has changed over time at engage.vic.gov.au/.
