Hazard review of old Port Fairy tip site

Environment Minister Ryan Smith has announced the survey would be managed by Moyne Shire with the municipality finalising a contract for work to be completed.

A spokeswoman for the minister told The Standard the review was expected to span from this month until September.

"The coastal hazard assessment will outline site-specific coastal hazards, coastal processes, and historical, current and future changes to the coastline," the spokeswoman said.

"It will also include predicted inundation lines for current and future sea levels at Port Fairy."

The Department of Sustainability and Environment (DSE) approved $146,500 in funding last year for Moyne Shire to undertake repair works to the northern end of the existing rock wall at East Beach.

Mr Smith's spokeswoman said the council was in the process of obtaining quotes for design plans for the works.

"Moyne Shire Council, DSE and the EPA (Environment Protection Authority) are together responding to issues created by erosion at the former East Beach tip sites," the spokeswoman said.

"An environmental assessment of these sites will be completed by June.

"The findings from this assessment will guide management works for both landfill sites."

The Standard revealed yesterday that 200 kilograms of asbestos had been unearthed from the old night soil depot, which was decommissioned in the 1950s. Rubbish has been spilling out of the night soil depot for the past few months with nearby residents concerned a rubbish tip located close to the Port Fairy golf course could also be exposed to the elements.

Moyne Shire mayor Jim Doukas said it was understandable that Port Fairy residents were concerned about the hazards posed by the old night soil dump.

The DSE and Moyne Shire have co-ordinated regular clean-ups of any exposed hard rubbish and have erected safety signage and fencing at the former tip sites.