Update: Griffiths Island in Port Fairy will remain closed for the rest of the week.
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The island was closed on Sunday due to high swells.
Moyne Shire Council's acting chief executive officer Brett Davis said planned works on the
Griffiths Island Causeway would be brought forward.
"Council's project to upgrade the southern causeway was due to commence on Monday April, 19 however with the island now closed due to storm debris, the works will now start later this week," Mr Davis said.
"Our immediate priority is to clean-up the debris, particularly the rocks that have been washed over the causeways.
"Griffiths Island will remain closed until at least the end of this week, and once reopen, will only be accessible via the northern causeway.
"The upgrades to the southern causeway include replacement of deteriorated infrastructure and construction of a new concrete path, and are expected to be completed by the end of May, weather permitting."
SUNDAY: A family had to be rescued from Griffiths Island after dangerous surf conditions left them trapped on Sunday.
The Ballarat family walked across the causeway and were unable to return to land about 20 minutes later when wild weather sent large waves crashing over it.
Sergeant Pat Day, of Koroit police, said emergency personnel were called to help shortly before 11am. "A mum and dad and two little girls - aged 8 and 6 - have walked across the causeway and when they attempted to return about 20 minutes later there was flooding," Sergeant Day said.
Police, SES, members of the Port Fairy Surf Lifesaving Club and Port Fairy Marine Rescue Service responded.
The marine rescue service boat was used to return the family to safety. "They've used good common sense and remained where they were," Sergeant Day said.
"There was a second group on the island - two males and a young girl - who chose to run across the causeway against the advice of emergency services, which was very reckless and foolish and could have ended in tragedy."
Sergeant Day said police will attempt to talk to the trio in the coming days. "Our message to everybody is to avoid the area," he said.
Port Fairy SES unit controller Stephen McDowell said three land based swift water rescue operators from the Warrnambool unit helped rescue the family.
He said SES members had raised the issue of people becoming trapped on the island in the past.
Mr McDowell said it was very disappointing three people ignored the warnings of emergency personnel and risked their lives.
"It was really very disappointed that they behaved in such a manner and put their lives in danger and potentially put all the other rescuers in danger as well," he said.
The incident prompted Friends of Griffiths Island chair Marten Syme to renew calls for upgrades. "I've been campaigning for years to make this safer," Mr Syme said. He said a person could be swept away and drown.
"People have been marooned across there before," Mr Syme said. "It's just lethal - if you get knocked off your feet, you would probably drown."
Mr Syme said he believed access to the island should be restricted when there were big swells.
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