Australia: New Seawall to Protect Somers Coast

Minister for Environment and Climate Change Ryan Smith along with Member for Hastings Neale Burgess today inspected the finished work on a new seawall at Merricks Creek in Somers.

The Victorian Coalition Government funded the $400,000, 75 metre-long seawall with the Department of Sustainability and Environment (DSE) carrying out the work, which was completed late last year.

Inspecting the seawall, Mr Smith and Mr Burgess said the Coalition Government was committed to protecting Victoria’s coastal assets for future generations.

“Victoria’s coast is a wonderful asset particularly during this busy summer period, so it is important that we act to preserve as much of it as possible,” Mr Smith said.

Mr Burgess said following community reports that the timber seawall was failing and needed to be replaced, the DSE commissioned the removal of the damaged timber and the installation of the new rock seawall.

“The superior quality of materials used in the construction of the wall will ensure it can withstand strong tidal movements and waves caused by one-in-50-year storms,” Mr Burgess said.

“The repair of this seawall will not only provide protection for the abutting sand dunes and foreshore vegetation, but also preserve a wonderful recreational area for the public to use.”

The work was undertaken as part of the Coalition Government’s Protecting our Bays program.

“Protecting our Bays is a $1.5 million annual program focused on the management and repair of protective structures, such as seawalls, groynes and revetments, around Port Phillip Bay and Westernport,” Mr Smith said.

Late last year Mr Smith launched the Coalition Government’s $1 billion five-year A Cleaner Yarra River and Port Phillip Bay Action Plan.

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Press Release, January 16, 2013