A new rock armour retaining wall will be built to protect the Great Ocean Road at Apollo Bay after recent winter storms caused significant erosion damage to the foreshore.
Member for Western Victoria, Gayle Tierney said the emergency works would protect the road from storm surges in the future.
A new rock armour wall about 240-metres-long will be built to protect the sections of the Great Ocean Road most at risk – centred on Milford Street – where the distance from the escarpment to the edge of the road is now less than 8 metres.
With support from the Department of Environment, Land and Water Planning (DELWP) and the Otway Coast Committee, Regional Roads Victoria will begin construction of this wall in early October.
The wall will be built with large basalt rocks, weighing between 1-4 tonnes. They will be carefully placed by excavators to form a barrier that will reinforce the existing escarpment and dissipate the energy of any waves that might reach it.
Once complete, there is potential to hide the rock wall within a reconstructed and revegetated sand dune.
Works will be completed in two stages: construction of the first 170-metre-long section will get underway in early October, with the remaining 70 metre section slated for November/December.
Every effort will be made to limit disruption to the community and maintain access to the foreshore.
These works form an integral part of a multi-agency approach to tackle coastal erosion at the Apollo Bay foreshore. Next month, DELWP will also lead two community sessions at Apollo Bay to discuss long term strategies and treatments to further address erosion in this area.
This rock armour work is part of the Victorian Government’s $53 million investment to protect the geotechnical stability of the Great Ocean Road.
Works are already underway on three more rock armour walls near Skenes Creek. More at-risk sites will also receive this treatment in the future.
Quotes attributable to Member for Western Victoria, Gayle Tierney
“The Great Ocean Road is the lifeline for communities along the coast, and we have a responsibility to make sure it’s safe and strong.
“We’re taking action to build a rock armour wall to protect the road to ensure future generations are able to enjoy it as much as we do.”
Quotes attributable to Mark Koliba, Regional Director (South West), Regional Roads Victoria
“We know how important the foreshore is to the Apollo Bay community, that’s why our rock armour wall will be built with as small a footprint as possible.”
“Our ultimate goal is to protect the road so it remains open and accessible for communities and visitors to enjoy.”