Stefan Bradley
Locals joined Nationals Member for Gippsland South Danny O’Brien, and Minister of Environment Ingrid Stitt, in Loch Sport on Thursday September 7 to see the erosion along the Lake Victoria foreshore first-hand.
Mr O’Brien said it was positive to have the Minister in Gippsland and hoped that her visit was a sign of action to come.
“Over the past six years or so we have seen the Andrews Labor Government commission numerous reports, but it is clear that immediate action is needed to physically prevent further erosion on the shoreline,” Mr O’Brien said.
“I am delighted to have had the opportunity, along with local members of the Loch Sport community, to show this to the Minister in person – it is a credit to her that she came to look for herself. I am optimistic that she will recognise the importance of securing funding to implement immediate measures to prevent further erosion.”
Mr O’Brien said a report produced by BMT Commercial Australia was released to the public in early 2022 outlining several potential solutions to the continuing erosion.
“Subsequent community consultation indicated the installation of groynes in the water to reduce the erosion as the overwhelmingly favoured solution,” he said.
“This has clearly worked in other parts of the foreshore where groynes have been installed for many years. Significant funding is now needed to action this long-term resolution.”
Ms Stitt also spoke positively of the visit.
“It was a great opportunity to meet with local community members and see the impacts of coastal erosion at Loch Sport,” Ms Stitt said.
“We know how important effective management of this sensitive coastal area is and we anticipate that designs to inform future erosion measures will be completed by the end of October.”
The Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA) have engaged the coastal engineering firm BMT to undertake surveying and aerial photography, a geotechnical survey, protection options for the Seagull Drive boat ramp eastern side of the car park, specifications for small-scale beach renourishment and concept designs for walking track relocations.
