To clean or not to clean? That's the question facing Warrnambool City Council as it contemplates ending years of debate about the build up of pungent seaweed on the city's main beach.
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This week council chief executive officer Peter Schneider revealed officers were investigating options to tackle the controversial issue.
The council usually clears seaweed on a section of the beach in summer months only but users for years have complained about the smell and unsightly build up that makes even the shortest of walks treacherous.
Earlier this year, users started a petition which put the issue back on the council's agenda.
"It's not a simple process and we are working through with some of the user groups at the moment to try and come up with a solution to it," Mr Schneider said in response to a question from the public at a meeting this week.
Concerns about machinery getting bogged in soft sand and the costs associated with clearing the seaweed have long been hurdles to a Gold Coast-type solution.
But Mr Schneider said the council was prepared to explore all options, including whether a business could take on the operation and then sell the seaweed for composting.
Previously the council has estimated the cost of extra clean ups could be in the vicinity of $10,000 each.
The council has to come up with an innovative solution because the city's cash-strapped budget does not have room for extra costs associated with cleaning the beach, especially when mother nature can see seaweed returned to the sand within a couple of days.
As Mr Schneider says, it's a complicated issue. There's environmental concerns to consider too. Experts have previously argued the seaweed is critical to ecosystems.
Back in 2013 Deakin University researchers found a culinary option for the seaweed.
Finding a solution by October in time for summer won't be easy but one that balances aesthetics, the environment and the budget would be ideal.
