THE leader of a group taking on coastal erosion believes Port Fairy is well-placed to defend itself.
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In June, houses at Collaroy Beach in Sydney suffered extensive damage when storms battered the dunes where the properties precariously sit.
Port Fairy Coastal Group chairman Nick Abbott said Port Fairy was much better prepared for the fight.
"I certainly think the awareness of the issue of erosion and the risk to beachfront properties is much more acute in Port Fairy," Mr Abbott said.
"I couldn't see it getting to the stage it did in Sydney, certainly not without a fight.
“I don't think the community would let that happen, people would put their hands up to do what they could to help."
Mr Abbott said the Sydney properties did not have a roadway between the dunes and houses, restricting the chance for work to be done.
He said government funding could only be sourced when a roadway was in place between a house and beach. If the house if right on the beach, it is the onus of the property owner to pay for any dune works.
Port Fairy Coastal Group was formed in 2011 and now has a membership over 30.
The group carries out monthly beach monitoring, measuring posts tracking the erosion levels. Data from this monitoring program is passed on to Moyne Shire Council.
“We have a really solid working relationship with council,” Mr Abbott said.
“I think that is really important, we are both on the same page.”
The coastal group does not only have strong support from council and the Port Fairy community, but also from visitors to the town.
“On the long weekends and the peak visitor times, we man information areas,” Mr Abbott said.
“They always attract plenty of interest. Visitors to the town are keen to know what is happening and what role the community is playing.”
Mr Abbott will attend the national Coast to Coast conference in Melbourne late next month.
