Erosion works at Wye River

THE Great Ocean Road Coast and Parks Authority (GORCAPA) will renourish the eastern Wye River foreshore with sand this week to increase the dune’s resilience to coastal erosion.

The work will involve moving sand from the western foreshore to the eastern foreshore to protect Wye River Surf Lifesaving Club from erosion caused by the ocean and Wye River flows.

The migration of a river channel to the area in 2019 significantly increased erosion of the dune in front of the surf club, and by 2021 about 15m of dune had been lost.

Geotextile groynes, a shortterm solution installed in 2021, have shifted the river channel west, away from the surf club, allowing sand to build up and protect the area from erosion.

The sand renourishment will provide further protection ahead of increased river flows and wave action over winter.

The works are expected to be completed within four days.