The Allan Labor Government has dismissed the Inverloch community’s urgent concerns over coastal erosion, failing to answer direct questions raised in state parliament by The Nationals’ Melina Bath.
Ms Bath berated the Minister for Environment, Steve Dimopoulos for his evasiveness.
“Inverloch residents seek transparency, but Labor continues to deny them,” said Ms Bath.
“After receiving a $3.3 million Commonwealth grant three years ago, the Allan Government has continued to drag its feet on coastal erosion.
“Minister Dimopoulos won’t even commit to releasing the final Cape to Cape Resilience Plan before Stage 1 works begin, nor will he guarantee the completion of the mitigation works by the end of spring.
“The community is right to demand clarity on the project’s direction and scope after the 2019 Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change report warned that beach renourishment and dune building are only short-term fixes.
“Thousands of residents signed the Inverloch Surf Lifesaving Club’s petition that I tabled and debated in state parliament rejecting the draft Cape to Cape Resilience plan as unrepresentative of community views.
“It’s entirely reasonable for locals to expect their feedback to be accurately reflected in the final plan.”
Ms Bath said the community is watching with growing alarm as dunes collapse and assets are threatened by winter king tides and storm surges.
“Community groups are working in good faith with the Department of Energy, Environment Climate Action, it’s time the Allan Government showed them respect.
“Inverloch residents reject retreat – they want a long-term strategy and funding for robust engineering solutions to help protect the coastline and infrastructure.
“Labor can’t manage money, can’t manage coastal erosion, and locals are paying the price.”
