25 Nov 2022

Half a million dollars for coastal protection │The Fleurieu Sun

By Michael Simmons

Sea levels are rising and King Tides cause erosion to dunes and vegetation in the City of Victor Harbor council area.

The Coastal and Estuarine Risk Mitigation Program, through the Federal Government, has acknowledged the coastline of south coast was in need of funding to prevent further erosion and to boost data collection modelling.

City of Victor Harbor received $518,000 to construct a sea wall at Encounter Bay to create a resilient foreshore for local community. This is a low-lying part of the coast that will come under increased risk of inundation due to storm surges and future impacts of climate change as sea levels rise.

Port Elliot’s Horseshoe Bay will receive $112,500 to support Alexandrina Council to take a proactive, best practice approach to data collection and modelling. This will support future master planning and future proofing the Bay and its intrinsic value for the community.

City of Victor Harbor spokesperson said full costings for the sea wall is unknown at this stage, but designs and construction is planned to be undertaken in 2023/24.

Councillor Marilyn Henderson is the State representative on the Australian Coastal Councils’ Association and will be attending the National Forum on coastal hazards in Fremantle, in March, 2023.

“There is a high priority focus on these works for the immediate flood protection of community facilities including the Encounter Bikeway, shared paths, road infrastructure and parking bays near the Yilki shops,” Ms Henderson said.

“The project will upgrade the current hazard defence to increase resilience and mitigate disaster risk.”

The work will cover approximately 650 metres from Charles to Fell streets.

Victor Harbor Coastcare members Anita and Andrew Leak said there was a Coastal Adaptation Strategy for the area and was available on the council website.

“We would like Yilki Beach to eventually become a useful sandy strip, clean of litter and weeds with limited access points,” Anita said.

“It would be good if stormwater could be managed in a way that doesn’t involve litter and harmful nutrients entering the sea and scouring the beach on the way there. Throw in the design of a raised bikeway and it is clear that there are complex engineering issues.

“Flourishing seagrass meadows could assist in erosion reduction and possible sand accretion.”

Ms Henderson said the Australian Coastal Councils’ Association was established in 2004 and was a national body formed to represent the interests of coastal councils.

“Infrastructure Australia lists coastal inundation as a high priority national initiative. Sea levels in South Australia have been rising at a rate higher than the global average; approximately 4.6mm per annum since the early 1990s,” Ms Henderson said.

Through the Coastal and Estuarine Risk Mitigation Program, the funding will target projects such as the construction of rock seawalls and nearshore breakwaters, large-scale beach erosion protection, building the capacity of coastal land use planners and improving community awareness of coastal hazards.

Senator for South Australia Andrew McLachlan said that he welcomed the Federal Government’s investment in maintaining stretches of the Fleurieu Peninsula coastline.

“As the effects of changes to climate advance, our coastlines are at an increasing risk of erosion,” Senator McLachlan said.

“Just last year we saw large swells wreak havoc at Encounter Bay, damaging the Bluff Jetty and seawall, as well as local infrastructure. Improving the seawall will ensure homes and businesses along Franklin Parade are better protected.’’

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