Port Fairy East Beach rock wall to be built in 2021 when hooded plovers aren't nesting

Moyne Shire Council has allocated $1.1 million for the rock wall after it was given $1.5 million from the state government in 2018.

The council approved the wall to protect the East Beach site in 2019 after contents including night soil pans and some hard rubbish became exposed and showed signs of eroding into the sea from 2009.

The site is owned by the state government and was used before the completion of Port Fairy's sewage scheme, but serviced increasingly fewer properties until it was decommissioned in the 1980s.

The money will also be used to extend an existing rock wall at a second site, a council landfill that operated from the early 1970s until 1998, where erosion has continued at the sides.

But the work can't begin until the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning balance environmental and cultural heritage factors.

"We're doing the work to ensure we deliver this important project in a way that meets strict environmental standards and respects the area's rich cultural heritage," a DELWP spokeswoman said.

"We're expecting construction will begin in 2021, when hooded plovers are not using the beach for nesting or raising their young."

Moyne Shire infrastructure and environment director Trev Greenberger said the council had been working through community concerns and regulatory obligations prior to commencing constructions.

"Given the time required to ensure adequate consultation and the required approvals, the funding has been carried over in the 2020/21 budget, and could possibly also roll into 2021/22 depending on the timing of construction," Mr Greenberger said.

"For efficiency, council is managing the construction of the walls for both sites."

The council is also using the money to investigate the contents of the tip sites amid a push for rubbish to be removed.

Moyne councillor and Port Fairy resident Jordan Lockett joined council this term hoping to see action to protect the East Beach sites.

"It seems to be taking a long time, but there needs to be a thorough assessment of these things rather than just slapping them up," Cr Lockett said.

"The window for opportunity to do it will have to be another year from now."

He said overall there needed to be more done to protect Port Fairy against erosion.

"There are many reports and things that are being done. But many more things do need to occur because we can't just build rock walls around the whole town."

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