The Allan Government is being urged to act immediately on the Silverleaves Erosion Adaptation Plan, as ongoing delays leave the coastline increasingly vulnerable heading into winter.
The Nationals’ Member for Eastern Victoria Region, Melina Bath said Silverleaves is literally losing ground while a fully approved and funded erosion plan sits idle.
“Despite more than $2.8 million in state and federal funding being committed to conduct urgent mitigation works, not a single shovel has hit the ground.
“Over recent weeks there has been a rapid deterioration east of the temporary rock bag wall, resulting in significant beach loss, collapsing dunes and falling mature trees.
“This is no longer a future risk, around 1.5 metres of foreshore has vanished in mere weeks and residents are alarmed as winter storms and king tides loom.
“DEECA’s internal restructure and shift to a centralised statewide coastal unit based in Geelong has left the community without any clear contacts or timelines – bureaucratic reshuffling is not an excuse for unresponsiveness.
“The project manager is unknown, communication with the Community Reference Group has stalled and there is still no public timeline for design, tendering or construction.”
Ms Bath has written to Labor’s Minister for Environment demanding clarity and action.
“The Allan Government must be transparent with the community, they deserve to know who is in charge, when designs will be finalised, tenders issued and works to begin.
“Each government delay increases the erosion action and the likelihood of costly works that could and should have been avoided.
“Emergency funding was allocated because Silverleaves is facing an emergency, it is irresponsible for Labor not to have an implementation program.
“The Allan Government must stop dragging its feet and start acting before Silverleaves suffers further preventable environmental and financial disaster.”
