Mornington Peninsula Shire has closed a section of Mount Martha North Beach that has been deemed a “significant safety risk” with its unstable cliff vulnerable to collapse. “Ongoing erosion caused by high tides and rainfall has destabilised the cliff at the back of the beach,” the Shire said in a statement yesterday, warning beach box owners not to use their beach boxes.
“A recent assessment has found the cliff poses an unacceptable safety risk,” it said. “This week’s intense rainfall is likely to have further increased the risk that the cliff may collapse. As the committee of management for the beach, the Shire has temporarily closed the section of beach nearest the unstable cliff until further notice.
“The area has been cordoned off and warning signs installed. The cordoned-off area includes 49 beach boxes directly in front of the cliff – beach box numbers 92 to 151 inclusive. We are in the process of contacting all affected beach box owners and will work with them to retrieve any personal items they would like to take from their beach box once the weather has improved. Owners are asked not to use their beach box, as it is not safe to do so. The area in front of the beach boxes will remain open for recreational use.
“We have commissioned an updated risk assessment of the beach, which should be ready by Christmas and will inform next steps. This will give us more information about the impact of recent rain.”
“We understand this must be very disappointing, especially for those beach box owners affected,” said Mayor Anthony Marsh. “Erosion has been an ongoing issue at this beach for many years and the situation has worsened due to recent weather. We have commissioned further investigations and should know more by Christmas. And we will continue to work closely with the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning on next steps. We will keep beach box owners and the wider community informed of any updates as soon as we have them. In the meantime, we ask people to avoid entering the cordoned-off area. It is not safe.”
The Shire said the State Government had ultimate responsibility for all foreshore Crown land, “and we will continue to work closely with the DELWP to explore options for the longer-term future of Mount Martha North Beach”.
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