SAND-TRAP fencing is having some success in mitigating a high-profile erosion problem along Port Fairy’s East Beach.
The new barrier was installed by the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning (DELWP) at the old night soil site off Woodbine Road following concerns over erosion during the past five years.
DELWP environmental planner Scott Elliott inspected the beach recently and said he was impressed with the effectiveness of the fence.
“The trial implemented two lines of sand-trap fencing at four metres apart to trap and retain sand in front of the primary dune,” Mr Elliott said.
“The trial has been so successful that both fences are now partially buried by sand. Anecdotal evidence suggests that around 1000 to 2000 cubic metres of sand has been trapped by the fencing over summer.”
The first stage of the fence trial was implemented in November 2013 and the second stage five months later.
Mr Elliott said the fence had weathered a particularly strong winter storm last year and created a buffer between any swells and high tides.
“We were fortunate this summer with the prevailing winds pushing additional sand onto the beach,” he said.
