The Nationals Member for Gippsland South, Danny O’Brien is calling on locals to get behind a campaign to secure significant funding to battle the advance of erosion along the Loch Sport foreshore of Lake Victoria.
Mr O’Brien intends to table a petition in Parliament calling on the Andrews Labor Government to provide funding urgently to address the situation.
“A number of research papers and reports have been commissioned by the state government in the past with the most recent unsurprisingly confirming that immediate action is needed to protect public and private property,” Mr O’Brien said.
“This petition calls on the Labor Government to now provide the funds required to stop the erosion getting worse and impacting both public and private property.
“One proposal would be to install groynes, as along exists along most of the foreshore, to prevent the further loss of beach and vegetation, foreshore with an estimated cost of around $5 million.
“I’ve been writing to the Minister for Environment for more than five years highlighting these concerns yet the Government has continued to dither with small pockets of funds for further reviews and consultations while the erosion continues to progress.
“The Government announced $17 million in the State Budget for coastal works, and I’ve put in a bid for some of that money for Loch Sport.
“We’ve already seen the need for funding to relocate the walking track in the Seagull Drive and Boulevard areas due to erosion and now the Seagull Drive carpark and toilet are even under threat.”
Mr O’Brien said he hopes the petition will highlight to the Government that this is a real priority for the local community.
“I understand that there will no doubt be consequences to whatever action is chosen to stop the erosion on foreshore, but it’s clear that there will also be consequences if we don’t act to stop it. It’s time to take action to save this wonderful town before it’s too late.”
Mr O’Brien said those with access to the internet could sign his petition online at https://www.dannyobrienmp.com.au/issue/loch-sport-erosion/.
Alternatively, hard copies of the petition are available at his office located at 54B Cunninghame Street in Sale and in various locations in Loch Sport.