Coastal Cliff Top Trail Safety - Community Walk and Talks set to begin
Published on 03 January 2024
We’re planning for the future of the Surf Coast Walk coastal cliff top trail between Jan Juc Surf Lifesaving Club and Rocky Point in Torquay.
Climate change impacts, including large swells and high tides, continue to erode sections of the coast, prompting the need for immediate adaptation planning.
We’re taking proactive action to keep trail users safe, and to ensure that you’ll continue to be able to walk between the Jan Juc Surf Lifesaving Club to the Torquay Surf Lifesaving Club and Rocky Point.
We’re actively monitoring the area through ground and aerial assessments utilising the latest technology and the trail currently remains safe to use.
The Jan Juc to Torquay Cliff Top Trail faces challenges due to ongoing coastal erosion, with an independent geotechnical report revealing a forecasted cliff line recession of 1.5 metres within the next two decades. Climate change-induced factors such as severe weather events and king tides contribute to this unfortunate reality.
We’ve implemented short-term safety measures, including safety barriers, to prolong the trail's safe use. However, sections may eventually need to be permanently closed as the cliff recedes. Notably, the Rocky Point beach access stairs, temporarily closed in 2022, will remain closed due to safety concerns based on recent geotechnical advice.
We’ve previously retreated other sections of the Surf Coast Walk at Anglesea and Aireys Inlet in response to similar cliff and landslip risks. We take the same risk-based approach to management of all cliff and landslip hazards and align any adaptation planning with the principles of the Victorian Marine and Coastal Policy and the Marine and Coastal Act 2018.
We’re inviting locals and visitors to participate in a series of Walk and Talks throughout January to better understand current conditions and the management actions we are taking.
We’re keen to hear from the community to better understand how they value this area of the coast and how we can best communicate on future trail closures.
To book a ‘Walk and Talk’, access a community survey or to find out more please visit: www.haveyoursay.greatoceanroadauthority.vic.gov.au/jan-juc-cliff-trail
Quotes attributable to Great Ocean Road Coast and Parks Authority Director Infrastructure and Planning, Cath Olive
“We’re planning for the future of the Surf Coast Walk coastal cliff top trail between Jan Juc Surf Lifesaving Club and Rocky Point in Torquay.”
"Climate change impacts, including large swells and high tides continue to erode sections of the coast, prompting the need for immediate adaptation planning."
“The trail is currently safe to use, and we continue to closely monitor the trail from the ground and air, with the use of latest technology.”
“I encourage all who value the trail to join our upcoming Walk and Talks, to learn more about the conditions and help shape future decisions for the area.”