New groynes and a rock seawall will be built along the foreshore between Rose Avenue and Coghlan Road in the Victorian town of Cowes, to help protect the area from ongoing erosion.
The Bass Coast Shire Council project will include the construction of eight new timber groynes, to replace existing groynes, sand renourishment and the construction of a new 300-metre-long rock seawall.
Bass Coast Shire Mayor, Brett Tessari said erosion was an issue across Bass Coast, that had increased significantly over the past 10 years.
“The existing structures that were built at Cowes East to minimise erosion are now degraded and are no longer working effectively,” Mayor Tessari said.
“The new groynes and seawall will offer a long-term solution to help protect the beach and public assets from further damage.”
This $2.58 million project received grant funding of $1.05 million from the Australian Government’s Environment Restoration Fund, with the remaining $1.53 million to be contributed by Council.
Works to construct the timber groynes is expected to begin in late August and be completed by early December. Sand renourishment to fill the new groyne fields will be conducted between December 2021 and April 2022, when conditions are best suited.
Construction of the rock seawall is scheduled to start in February 2022 and be completed by early December. All works will be staged to minimise disruption over the summer holiday season and other peak times.
