The Nationals Member for Gippsland South was joined by the Minister for Environment, Ingrid Stitt, in Loch Sport today to see the erosion along the Lake Victoria foreshore first-hand.
Mr O’Brien said it was positive to have the Minister in Gippsland and hoped that her visit was a sign of action to come.
“Over the past six years or so we have seen the Andrews Labor Government commission numerous reports, but it is clear that immediate action is needed to physically prevent further erosion on the shoreline,” Mr O’Brien said.
“I am delighted to have had the opportunity, along with local members of the Loch Sport community, to show this to the Minister in person – it is a credit to her that she came to look for herself. I am optimistic that she will recognise the importance of securing funding to implement immediate measures to prevent further erosion.”
Mr O’Brien said a report produced by BMT Commercial Australia was released to the public in early 2022 outlining several potential solutions to the continuing erosion.
“Subsequent community consultation indicated the installation of groynes in the water to reduce the erosion as the overwhelmingly favored solution.
“This has clearly worked in other parts of the foreshore where groynes have been installed for many years. Significant funding is now needed to action this long-term resolution.”
In March this year, while responding to a question from Mr O’Brien in Parliament, Minister Stitt advised that designs to allow for construction and implementation of coastal measures were underway. Minister Stitt advised today this work should be complete next month.
Mr O’Brien said his main concern, that action to prevent further erosion is progressing too slowly, remains.
“I first raised this matter in 2017 and since that time we have had tracks being washed away, public land being washed away and ultimately private land will be under threat if we don’t take action.”
Minister Stitt also saw the poor state of the Stockyard Hill beach carpark in Loch Sport, before visiting our iconic Wilson’s Promontory.