Rock wall construction to protect public infrastructure

A 60 metre rock wall is currently under construction at East Beach, north of the Battery Hill boat ramp, and is expected to be completed in coming weeks. 

Moyne Shire Council manager of engineering and design Leah Johnston said the solid rock armour structure, near Rogers Place and Apex Park, would help to protect public infrastructure and was a similar project to earlier erosion works near the surf club.

The wall is being built using five-tonne rocks which are buried two metres under the sand level and filled using 500 kilogram stones. 

“We’re doing in the order of about 60 to 65 lineal metres of wall and that's to protect the public infrastructure there in terms of Apex Park,” Mrs Johnston said.

“It’s proceeding very well and we’re hoping to have the job completed in the next few weeks,” she said.

“The existing wall was not of a suitable standard so it was removed and rebuilt to the one-in-100 year storm standard,” she added. 

A council study along East Beach about two years ago, identified it as a high risk area and rocks were removed to see how substantial walls were in specific locations along the beach.

She said council relied on funding from the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning.

“We’re slowly working with the state to identify those areas of highest risks which they will contribute funding to,” Mrs Johnston said.

“We’ve been quite successful with funding opportunities. We’re thankful for what we’ve received to date and hope it will continue,” she said.

Also underway at the Battery Lane car park is revegetation works. Mrs Johnston said it was a perfect opportunity to prepare the nearby site while works were being conducted. The revegetation will be completed in a couple of months.

She reminded residents that Battery Lane was closed and asked for the public to obey signage displayed. Parts of the beach are also closed and users are encouraged to explore the coast north of Rogers Place.