Portsea protection works
Erosion has caused significant changes to Portsea foreshore. The beach and foreshore have receded 20 to 25 metres, exposing foundations and causing structural damage to the pier walkway.
Works have been undertaken to stabilise the pier and protect the foreshore and public assets. This included the construction of a 150m sandbag seawall. The major works have been completed.
DSE will continue to monitor and assess the site.
Stabilisation works at Portsea
Protection works now complete at Portsea include:
· Underpinning the pier walkway and building a stabilising rock wall around the pier walkway.
· Constructing a sandbag wall (approximately 150 m long) along the back of the beach (east of the pier) to protect the foreshore.
· Importing coarse quarry sand to fill the sand bags. The remaining quarry sand has been spread along the beach, apart from a small amount stockpiled in case of the need for sandbag repairs.
· Rehabilitating the foreshore including landscaping, revegetation and access works to be carried out in partnership with Mornington Peninsula Shire Council.
· Commencing a two year beach monitoring program that will enable DSE to gauge the effectiveness of the works.
Seawall Repairs
During the July 2011 severe swell wave conditions dislodged one sandbag unit from the sandbag wall. DSE are currently undertaking works to repair the wall, which will include the construction of a temporary rock wall to protect the worksite. Once this is completed the contractors will return to the site when favourable tides will allow the repair works to be completed. DSE anticipates that the repairs will be completed in November, weather permitting.
DSE will continue to monitor and assess the site.
Transcript of video
Hello I’m Rodney Warren from the Department of Sustainability and Environment I’m here to give you an update on the Portsea sea wall project.
This sea wall was constructed late last year after the beach receded about 20 to 25 metres. This caused structural damage to the pier walkway and exposed its foundations.
This sandbag wall was put there to better protect the foreshore.
During July severe storms dislodged one sandbag from the wall.
Because of this visitors to the beach will notice a rock wall. This rock wall has been put in place while maintenance work is being completed. The wall is there to protect the workers and their equipment.
The wall will be dismantled in time for the summer period.
Once the wall is fixed we will continue to monitor the wall and the beach.
DSE is also looking at long term protection options for the Portsea Beach.
Our intention is to keep the public fully informed. Thankyou.
Frequently asked questions
Q. What has been done at Portsea?
Works at Portsea commenced in August 2010. A team of DSE officers, consultants and contractors undertook asset protection works to stabilise the pier and protect the Portsea foreshore and public assets. A 150 m long sand bag wall has been built to protect the foreshore from further erosion. The work at Portsea is essential to halt foreshore erosion and ongoing monitoring will continue – both on and off shore
Q. How much did it cost? Who is paying for it?
The total project cost is about $2 million, funded by DSE. The Mornington Peninsula Shire Council will contribute to some of the permanent access works.
Q. Will this fix the erosion problem?
The sandbag seawall was constructed in the erosion zone and will help halt the erosion behind the seawall. DSE will continue its ongoing monitoring and assessment of the site, both on and off shore
Q. What is causing the erosion at Portsea beach?
A. The causes of the erosion are yet to be determined. DSE has undertaken a range of protection works to stabilise the current beach erosion and will continue to monitor and assess the situation. Further information on erosion at Portsea Beach can be found at the Office of the Environmental Monitor website.
Q. Will you do more works at Portsea?
DSE will assess the effect of the sea wall, closely monitoring movement of sand at the beach during the next two years. Future options will be continually assessed as part of that process.
Q. Can the community use the beach during the school holidays/Christmas?
Yes. The beach remains open for the public to use and enjoy.
Q. Are we in danger if we use the pier/beach?
Victoria’s coast is dynamic environment and people need to be aware of continual changes to beach and coastal environments – as with all Victorian beaches – and act accordingly.