WORKS to protect a damaged sand dune at Port Fairy’s popular Pea Soup Beach have finished this week with Moyne Shire issuing a blunt warning for people to keep off the dune.
Vegetation has loosened, causing sand falls and a gash in the side of the dune.
Unlike the encroaching waves at East Beach, the erosion in Pea Soup has one main culprit — childre running up and down the hill for the thrill. The dune also sits beneath the multi-million- dollar Breakers property, which is sheltered among vegetation overlooking Pea Soup.
Previous methods to secure the spot, including fences, have so far failed.
Moyne Shire Council environmental officer Richard Hodgens said excavators had shaped the dunes in past weeks, while hessian-like matting was now in place.
“We’re going to try and put some native grasses down in April or May when the conditions are better.,” Mr Hodgens said.
The erosion doesn’t threaten the Breakers property which is protected by a rock wall.