Recent storms and high tides have caused damage at several coastal access points along the Great Ocean Road, including Torquay Back Beach, Jan Juc, and Anglesea.
While the wild conditions have left some stairways and ramps temporarily closed, GORCAPA’s Coastal Operations team has been on site inspecting damage and starting repair works where it’s safe to do so.
Torquay Back Beach
Torquay Back Beach experienced some of the heaviest impacts, with up to a metre of sand lost along parts of the seawall. The erosion has created drop-offs of more than two metres, making some sections of the walkway unsafe.
The storm also caused overtopping of the seawall, a complete loss of one set of timber stairs, and partial damage to another. One of the 4-tonne rock bags was shifted several metres by the force of the swell, and a small section of seawall shows signs of undermining.
Temporary closures and safety fencing have been put in place while crews assess the damage and plan repairs. Coastal Ops will work with GORCAPA’s planning and safety teams to design and replace the timber stairs and stabilise affected areas.
Planning is also underway on the long-term plan for repairs to the sea wall. This is a complex bit of work expected to take over 12 months.
Jan Juc Surf Life Saving Club Ramp
At Jan Juc, over a metre of sand has been eroded from around the Surf Life Saving Club ramp, leaving it inaccessible.
The ramp and surrounding fencing have been closed for safety.
Repair works will include moving sand and reinstalling the timber ramp once necessary approvals are in place. Our Coastal Operations team is liaising with the planning team and the Jan Juc SLSC to coordinate works, with timing dependent on the approval process and beach conditions.
Anglesea Caravan Park Ramp
The access ramp behind the Anglesea Caravan Park was also impacted by the storm. While the ramp structure itself remains secure, the handrails and balustrades were destroyed.
This is a relatively straightforward fix, and repairs will be completed in-house by GORCAPA’s Coastal Ops team, and the works will commence as soon as possible.
Persistent high tides cause further impacts
Following the initial storm event, several days of high tides caused further damage along parts of the coast.
At one site, the timber staircase that had been slated for early repair was completely washed away. Crews were able to recover the scattered remains further down the beach, along with a concrete tread that had been dislodged by the waves.
One of the rock bags also moved several metres, a reminder of the power of the swell during these conditions.
Next steps
Coastal Ops will continue to assess storm-affected areas and prioritise safety and access as repair works progress.
While some locations will reopen in the coming days, others - such as Torquay Back Beach - will require more significant work and planning before they can be made safe.