Notice to Mariners and Northern Boat Ramp Users

We wish to inform you that remediation works are currently underway on the rock groyne. Due to the limited area available for these operations, there may be some temporary disruptions. Specifically, trucks will be on-site delivering rocks, which may cause delays for local mariners and users of the northern boat ramp.

We appreciate your patience as we work to complete these essential repairs. Please plan your activities accordingly and allow additional time to follow any instructions or detours provided by site personnel to ensure safety and minimise delays.

Further updates will be provided on YourSay following the Council Election on 26 October 2024, and the questions/feedback tab will be reinstated.

From 12.00 noon Tuesday 17 September until 6.00 pm on Saturday 26 October (Election Day) we will be in the Local Government Election Period (also known as Caretaker Period).

During this time, we will limit our printed communications, website content, social media activity, and community consultations. The ability for people to comment on our social media content will also be disabled during the Election Period.

Each of these steps is to ensure our content does not affect voting in the election and is consistent with steps taken by other Victorian Councils and the Local Government Act 2020.

These changes are only temporary; we'll be back to normal communication activity after the election.

Remediation works are set to commence.

Paul Volk Contracting is scheduled to start the Bastion Point groyne remediation works onsite on 23 September 2024.

Rock blasting and testing has commenced at a local East Gippsland quarry to acquire the larger rocks which will support the groyne structure.

The northern boat ramp will remain open for use by mariners during the onsite works.

Due to the limited area available to perform these operations, there may be some temporary interruptions / delays for local mariners using the northern boat ramp when trucks are on-site delivering rocks for the essential repairs.

Traffic management will provide guidance to ensure safety and minimise delays.

The works are anticipated to be completed this November, ensuring the boat ramp is open and safer for use in time for the busy festive season; however, strong winds and large swell may impact the completion date.

Bastion Point maintenance works contract awarded.

The contract for the remediation works was awarded to Paul Volk Contracting Pty Ltd, a local company with experience in marine construction projects, at the 6 August 2024 Council meeting. The decision followed the completion of a site inspection and surveying in February 2023 by a coastal marine engineering consulting firm, a design phase and tender process, as outlined to the community in April 2024.

The major maintenance works on the groyne at the Bastion Point boat ramp will ensure the critical infrastructure continues to meet community needs.

The remediation works:

• Will include a new layer of larger rock armour to the wall to improve its stability and better resist wave impact.
• Will be inspected by the designer at certain stages of implementation.
• Will not change the existing shape or design.

The proposed timeline for works will be advised prior to construction and will avoid the high tourism season and the main abalone season where possible.

We welcome your continued interest in this project and encourage you to sign-up to follow the project on YourSay to receive important information direct to your inbox.

Want to know more?

Read the full MEDIA RELEASE online:

MEDIA RELEASE

In response to the deteriorating condition of the groyne rock wall, East Gippsland Shire Council is working on a remediation project at Bastion Point boat ramp. This initiative is not only aimed at ensuring the safety of boat ramp users but also at safeguarding the integrity of this vital coastal asset.

Since construction, the boat ramp has served the needs of the community, visitors, the abalone industry and is a crucial emergency evacuation point, as demonstrated during the 2019/20 fires.

The breakwater has suffered damage over time from wave action. Repairs and rock clearances have been undertaken on the head of the breakwater and in the boat access channel. Recently, large rocks have washed off the groyne wall during storms.

Mayor Cr Tom Crook said by addressing issues affecting the breakwater, Council is committed to extending its lifespan and maintaining it as a crucial piece of infrastructure for Mallacoota.

“The works will not change the location or design of the rock wall but are considered a maintenance function to maintain the integrity of the existing structure. This work is proactive maintenance and is focused on boater and community safety,” Cr Crook said.

Planned work has been informed by investigations by a reputable coastal engineering company who conducted thorough site investigations. These investigations were crucial in securing grant funding from Better Boating Victoria for the design of these immediate remediation works and maintenance efforts.

“We are grateful for the support from Better Boating Victoria, which allows us to proceed with the remediation works in a timely manner. This support underscores the importance of collaborative efforts in safeguarding our coastal assets,” Cr Crook said.

Remediation works will include the construction of a new rock armour on the seaward side of the existing breakwater to reduce wave action.

"The completion of the design phase marks a significant milestone in these remediation works and will ensure that the work is fit-for purpose. We are now moving forward with the tender process and we aim to commence construction as soon as possible. The proposed timeline for works will be advised prior to construction and will avoid the high tourism season and the main abalone season where possible.

“We will keep the community informed throughout the project, and address concerns raised by residents.”

Please choose to follow this project on YourSay to receive important information regarding this project directly to your inbox.

The design for Bastion Point groyne wall has been completed by the consultant and is currently being reviewed by council.

Further updates will be provided once the review process has been completed.

Site investigations have been completed and this project has progressed to detailed design.

We welcome your continued interest in this project; updates will be provided through YourSay, when available.

Design work was awarded to Maryn and Associates, a coastal engineering consultancy. This consultant undertook initial site investigations and generated a dilapidation report in January 2023.

The investigations undertaken were used for grant funding for the short-term remediation works currently underway.