Rodney Blake, during public question time at the May council meeting, asked if the council would continue to endorse dumping of the proposed dredge spoils into the Lady Bay as per the pervious council agreement.

In September last year, the previous councillors backed option four to dispose of dredging spoils "near the shore" despite its own Harbour Reference Group supporting a different option.

At the time of the vote, some councillors raised safety concerns that the plan to dump the dredging spoils near the shore could create a sandbar out the front of the caravan park during summer and could mean lifesavers might have to set up other patrols just in case people decided to "take off on these shallow drops".

Councillors were torn on the issue labelling the decision as a "damned if we do, damned if we don't".

The Harbour Reference Group backed option three which was a hybrid option for 25,000 cubic metres of spoils to be deposited in behind the dunes and the remaining 5000 cubic metres used to top up the dunes after previous erosion by storm activity.

The option of dumping sand just offshore was expected to cost $2.2 million - less than half the cost of putting sand in the dunes next to the Pavilion cafe - and was touted as the most likely option to secure a long-term funding commitment from the state government.

Mr Blake, a group member, said the council had backed option four with little thought given to the long-term regarding minimising of the "river of sand movement" along the coastline. He labelled it a "cheap lazy option". Mr Blake said the recent low pressure system that passed to the south of Warrnambool had produced a 10m open ocean swell, and the Deakin University Port Fairy wave buoy recorded a "significant" wave height of 6.7 metres in the early hours of April 11.

"This swell event caused damage to the breakwater, jetties and boat ramp, and it is yet to be measured the amount of sand movement within the western end of the bay," he said.

Acting chief executive officer Vikki King said staff were pursuing ongoing funding opportunities with the Department of Transport, and any potential activity on the dredging program would be brought back to the council for endorsement.

Ms King said any decision on a dredging program, or which option was chosen, would need to include an ongoing maintenance dredge program.

"The objection to option four by members of the harbour reference group has been recorded in the minutes and has been reported to the council," she said.

"Council values the advice of the reference group and this advice will be used to assist in making a decision to award a contract to complete the works."

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