New rock wall to save Ocean Road from erosion

AN 80-metre rock wall to be built at Skenes Creek and 16,000 tonnes of sand laid on to the beach at Apollo Bay are expected to protect sections of the Great Ocean Road from erosion.

The works, which began this week, follows wild weather at the weekend that caused landslides and rock falls along the Great Ocean Road.

Six-tonne rocks will form the base of the rock wall at Skenes Creek, which will be built from basalt and help dissipate waves and protect embankments.

The work, expected to be finished by mid-July, will require one lane of the Great Ocean Road to be closed near Skenes Creek between Monday and Friday, from 7am to 5pm.

Similar rock walls will be build at 20 other sites along the Great Ocean Road.

Western Victoria MP Gayle Tierney said: “Crews will work around the clock to upgrade, repair and improve along the road.”

Roads Minister Luke Donnellan said the Great Ocean Road was Victoria’s biggest tourism drawcard.

Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning Barwon South West manager Greg Leece said sand for the beach at Apollo Bay would be dredged from the nearby harbour.

“The project is expected to be completed over the next two months, weather conditions and tide movements per- safety mitting,” Mr Leece said.

“These works are essential to ensure public safety along the foreshore, following the rapid erosion we’ve seen here recently.”

“As our beaches are susceptible to constant natural process and the impacts of climate change, ongoing work is needed to protect them and surrounding infrastructure.”

A kilometre of the Apollo Bay foreshore between Cawood St and Marriners Lookout Rd will be closed while the work is done.