Sand renourishment underway to protect Wye River Foreshore
Published on 09 May 2022
The Great Ocean Road Coast and Parks Authority (the Authority) will this week renourish the eastern Wye River foreshore with sand to increase the dune’s resilience to coastal erosion.
The work will involve transporting sand from the western foreshore to the eastern foreshore to protect the Wye River Surf Lifesaving Club from erosion caused by the ocean and Wye River flows.
In winter 2019, the river channel migrated to this area, significantly increasing the erosion of the dune in front of the surf club due to the combination of river flows and wave action. By last year, 15 metres of dune had been lost.
Geotextile groynes, a short-term solution in stalled in 2021, have successfully shifted the river channel west, away from the surf club, allowing sand to build up and protect the area from erosion.
The sand renourishment will provide further protection ahead of increased river flows and wave action typically experienced over winter.
The works will begin on Tuesday (10 May) and are expected to be completed within four days.
While the groynes and renourishment will provide short-term protection, the Authority is continuing to work with the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning (DELWP) to investigate long-term solutions.
The Authority and DELWP recently held a listening post in Wye River to talk about viable options to provide longer-term protection from erosion, and the risks and benefits of these options. People who could not attend were given the opportunity to have their say via an on-line survey.
The Authority and DELWP greatly appreciate the feedback which will be used to shape further public consultation and ultimately, future planning decisions.
Quotes attributable to Great Ocean Road Coast and Parks Authority CEO, Jodie Sizer
“It’s great to see our immediate solutions are having the desired effect at Wye River, increasing the area's resilience to coastal erosion.
“These renourishment works will help provide further resilience over the wild and woolly winter months while we continue to keep the community engaged as we investigate long-term options.”