MOYNE Shire is locked in a fight with the ocean to protect access tracks and ramps to beaches along its extensive coastline.
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High tides and weather conditions recently washed away a popular access ramp to the Peterborough beach, forcing the council to close it.
Moyne Shire environmental services officer Oliver Moles said steps at the walkway from Irvine Memorial Reserve had become unstable. He said erosion had caused a drop between the steps and the ground, with jagged rocks which have the potential to cause injury now exposed.
“With sea levels rising, the bottom of the ramp gets damaged quite regularly,” Mr Moles said.
“If we’re going to use that ramp, it’s going to need a lot of work.”
The beach along the reserve can still be accessed by the boat ramp.
The council is now developing plans to either construct a new pathway down to the sand or work a track in to the existing boat ramp.
“We’ve consulted the Peterborough residents’ group about the options,” Mr Moles said.
A plan is expected to be put forward next month.
The ramp is just one of many sites being washed away on the 140 kilometres of coastline in the Moyne Shire. Mr Moles said there were more than a dozen at Port Fairy’s East Beach alone.
s.mccomish@fairfaxmedia.com.au