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Local government

State Government Urged to Help Save Victoria's Beaches

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

As Victoria's Bass Coast beaches suffer from coastal erosion, the State Government's inaction is putting dozens of homes at risk. The Bass Coast Council has called for urgent action, requesting the State Government to integrate climate change policy into Victoria's planning schemes and develop a state-wide Flood Mapping system and Flood Management Overlay. The Council's motion comes as modelling released by the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning (DEWLP) shows that without intervention, erosion will impact hundreds of metres of Surf Parade, Inverloch, and dozens of private properties as the sea level rises 0.5 metres by 2070.

Key Takeaways:

  • Coastal erosion threatens dozens of homes in Inverloch, with modelling suggesting erosion will cover hundreds of metres of Surf Parade and eat into about a dozen private properties by 2070.
  • The State Government's current position is to leave flood mapping and controls to local councils, with limited support provided to some councils to develop flood studies and tools.
  • The Bass Coast Council has put forward a motion requesting the Victorian Government to develop a state-wide Flood Mapping system and Flood Management Overlay.
  • The overlay should be regularly reviewed and updated to reflect the changing environment and the impacts of climate change.
  • Inundation and coastal erosion pose a significant threat to life, the environment, and the economy, with many councils lacking the resources and capability to manage and respond to these risks.
  • A state-wide flood inundation overlay would provide a logical and feasible solution to inform decision-making for coastal protection, staged retreat, and managing growth and development.
  • The Victorian Government demonstrated leadership in the aftermath of the 2009 Black Saturday Bushfires by implementing a Victoria-wide Bushfire Management Overlay, and a similar overlay is now needed to respond to the climate emergency and projected flood inundation and coastal erosion.

Statistics:

  • 2070 is projected to see a 0.5 metre rise in sea level, with erosion covering hundreds of metres of Surf Parade, Inverloch.
  • By 2100, erosion is expected to reach more than 40 houses at Surf Parade and beyond with a 0.8 metre rise.
  • The Bass Coast Council has requested the Victorian Government to develop a state-wide Flood Mapping system and Flood Management Overlay by [no specific date mentioned].
  • The overlay should be regularly reviewed and updated to reflect the changing environment and the impacts of climate change.
  • Only the Victorian Government has the resources and capability to develop a state-wide flood inundation overlay.

Sources:

  • State of Victoria, Local Government (https://www.localvictoria.net/)
  • Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning (DEWLP), "Cape to Cape Resilience Project" (https://www.environment.vic.gov.au/)
  • Municipal Association of Victoria, State Council meeting minutes (no specific date mentioned)
  • Victorian Government, Climate Change Action Plan (https://www.climatechange.vic.gov.au/)
  • Black Saturday Bushfires, Bushfire Management Overlay (https://www.bushfirecrc.com/)

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