Three years on from receiving the grant, critical works remain at a standstill while the risk increases with each storm event and high tide.
The Inverloch Surf Lifesaving Club and nearby homes are under imminent threat due to the accelerating erosion.
Revelations contained in freedom of information (FOI) documents secured by The Nationals’ Member for Eastern Victoria, Melina Bath, show:
- The government’s hazard mapping in 2022 identified the possibility for disaster from a major erosion and or inundation event within two years stating there is a need for on ground works to commence as soon as possible.
- The government’s own economic modelling shows Labor’s cover up and inaction on coastal erosion is between $42M and $558M in damages and value lost.
- The grant application for emergency funds was needed due to ‘State and Local Government and agency budget constraints’,
- The government had already adopted the coastal mitigation strategies of retreat, accommodate and nature based protection measures before consulting with the community,
- Coastal erosion works were classified a ‘priority’ in 2022,
- The Cape to Cape Resilience Plan was to be finalised by 2023.
Ms Bath said FOI documents reveal Labor is focused on managing headlines and not protecting Inverloch’s coastline and community.
“Despite knowing the dire consequences and delaying action the Allan Government is complicit in causing mental anguish for residents.
“The beach is eroding, dunes are vanishing, and the Surf Life Saving Club is under imminent threat while Labor refuses to prioritise the works.
“Labor’s so called community consultation was clearly engineered to align with a pre-set decision.
“There’s a serious lack of transparency surrounding the project – the Allan Government’s secrecy and refusal to release of the final Cape to Cape plan speaks volumes. “Every day these critical works are delayed, the Allan Government is recklessly rolling the dice, risking essential infrastructure, and putting the future of the town on the line.”
