Fisherman Barry Hose says the mouth of the Merri River is in the worst state he has seen in his life due to a build-up of sand, however the catchment authority in charge of the estuary insists the sand is part of the river’s natural processes.
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Mr Hose, who has lived in Warrnambool for most of his life, said the presence of the sand was a new problem that began over the last few years.
“I’d never ever seen this river blocked until about three years ago,” he said.
“It’s getting worse and worse and worse.”
He said fishing spots he previously frequented had disappeared and when water does inundate the sand and flow through, it remains shallow.
“The Merri now from the back of Merrivale right through to Levy’s Point is only half its width because of recent dry years,” Mr Hose said.
“It’s not half the river it used to be.
“When we do get the river rains it doesn’t get that big flush.”
Mr Hose believes the build-up is linked to dredged sand that was dumped into Stingray Bay more than three decades ago.
“When we get a big sea here, the spoil they dumped there gets dragged in,” he said.
“When the big seas drop off, the sand stays here.”
Mr Hose said the catchment management authority should intervene and clear some of the sand away.
“You’re going to end up with a long lake,” he said.
“You won’t have a river anymore.”
Glenelg Hopkins Catchment Management Authority coastal projects co-ordinator Jarred Obst said large swells had recently deposited sand at the mouth of the Merri River.
He said the authority monitors water levels and conditions at all estuaries in the area.
Mr Obst said estuary closure was an important ecological process that highlights the “dynamic nature” of the region’s coastline.
“Estuaries are dynamic systems with sand loads at the estuary mouth influenced by a range of seasonal processes, including rainfall, streamflow, swells and tidal patterns,” Mr Obst said.
“If sand is creating upstream inundation concerns we consider intervening using a risk-based approach.
“This approach considers a range of factors including environmental and social impacts.
“The CMA are currently supporting community groups and landholders to improve the health of the Merri River through a range of programs including willow removal works, revegetation programs and fish habitat reinstatement.”
