Inverloch Coast Erosion

Our story of the Inverloch coastal erosion began in 2013 with a major research project, the Inverloch Coastal Resilience Project, which mapped the blah blah of the Inverloch waterway. Since then the coastline has been eroded by increased incidence and severity of storms which have threaten the natural and built environments.

Chronology of the Surf Beach Erosion

2013: Surf Beach erosion commences

2014-2017: SGCS volunteers commence beach profile monitoring

2018: VCMP drone monitoring citizen science project commences

2018: SGCS Inverloch Coastal Resilience Project investigation commences

2019: SGCS Public exhibition at Hub and Surf Club and community survey

2019: Release of SGCS Inverloch Coastal Resilience Project Report

2019: Vic Government announces Cape to Cape Resilience Project

2019: Wet Sand Fence trial sections erected

2020: SGCS releases video documentary Coastline in Crisis

2020: Surf Club Sand Bag Revetment installed

2021: SGCS releases two beach monitoring reports

2022: SGCS runs ‘Rally Round Our Dunes’ and releases video

2022: SGCS Petition for Surf Beach Action presented to Bass MP

2023: SGCS releases Griffith University report and video interview

2020-2024: Vic Government Cape to Cape Resilience Project investigations

2020-2024: SGCS member of C2CRP Stakeholder Reference Group

2024-2025: Inverloch Coastal Advocacy Network (SGCS, Surf Club and ITA) meetings

2025: Inverloch Foreshore Action Group holds beach rally, meeting, releases report

2025: Vic Government releases final Cape to Cape Resilience Plan

2025-2026: Surf Club Sand Bag Revetment extended

2025-2026: SGCS input to beach renourishment and dune revegetation

2026: Beach Renourishment commences, dune revegetation to follow

Inverloch Coastal Resilience Project

The South Gippsland Conservation Society’s Inverloch Coastal Resilience Project (ICRP) has been monitoring and analysing coastline changes at Inverloch since the current recession sequence commenced in 2013. The project aims to raise awareness of the loss of vegetated dunes within the coastal reserve and the threat posed to the Surf Beach and adjoining infrastructure and residences.

The investigations undertaken by the ICRP team and the campaign activities contributed to the Victorian Government’s decision to commence its Cape to Cape Resilience Project (C2CRP) in 2019. Between 2021-2024, the ICRP team provided extensive input and comment to the C2CRP team.

In 2025, SGCS linked with the Inverloch Surf Life Saving Club and the Inverloch Tourism Association to form the Inverloch Coastal Advocacy Network (I*CAN). I*CAN met regularly with the C2CRP team throughout 2025 during finalisation of the Cape to Cape Resilience Plan and planning for the beach renourishment and dune revegetation now underway.

Click here to read about the Inverloch Coastal Resilience Project in more detail and to access the full research reports.

Analysis of coastline changes

The pictorial history above shows the progression of the coastline erosionhis section compiles the key findings of the ICRPs analysis of coastline changes and identifies the factors that have contributed to the accelerated erosion that has occurred since 2013.This draws on the investigations undertaken for ICRP, as well the Inverloch Region Coastal Hazard Assessment undertaken by Water Technology for the C2CRP.

Cape to Cape Resilience Project

The Victorian Government’s Cape to Cape Resilience Project was completed in two stages:

Stage 1: 2021/22-Undertaking of a Community Values Study and the Inverloch Region Coastal Hazard Assessment
Stage 2: 2022/25- preparation of the Cape to Cape Resilience Plan, a long-term adaptation plan for the coastline from Cape Paterson to Cape Liptrap. This plan drew on the Stage 1 studies, as well as hazard maps, a risk and vulnerability assessment and Government policy.

Use the link below to read an overview of the key elements of the project and its main findings, with a focus on the adaptation plan for the Inverloch Coastline. This includes adaptation options considered and the beach renourishment and dune revegetation works that commenced in June 2026.

SGCS's position on the beach erosion ...

SGCS Position and ICRP 2.0

This section explains the background to SGCSs support for the C2CRP Plan and the beach renourishment and dune revegetation project. The SGCSs Inverloch Coastal Restoration Project (ICRP2.0) is also outlined.

SGCS POSITION

Slides 81-88
- SGCS Position
- Channel Migration
- Channel Management Proposal
- Augmented Monitoring
- Action Program
- Inverloch Coastal Restoration Project (ICRP2.0)

SLIDE 81

SGCS Mission
- ‘To pursue as a priority, the protection, regenerationand climate adaptation ofour environment’
SGCS ‘Advocate and Act’ Goal
- ‘Advocate to Government and decision-makers for theprotection, regeneration and climate adaptation of the land, air and water on which we depend’
SGCS Position since 2023
- Support increasing resilience of coastal reserve through facilitated regeneration
  - Series of beach renourishments 2026- 2070
  - Enhanced dune management
    - Weed Management Program
    - Rationalisation of access tracks
  - Revegetation of reconstructed dunes
  - Replacing coastal reserve if required in long term
- Commence planning for an ecological corridor around Inverloch

SLIDE 82

Photos

SLIDE 83

SGCS proposal to encourage return of main channel back to Pt Norman
- Removal of sand from the Pt Norman-Pt. Hughes sand barrier
- Removed sand to be placed at site of former ebb-tide delta
- To enhance Surf Beach stability
- Recreate what existed pre-2012
- Reinstate ‘hydraulic groyne’ to hold sand on beach

SLIDE 84

Current DEECA monitoring program
- During beach renourishment
  - Contractor monitors dredging impacts
- On completion of beach renourishment
  - VCMP undertakes regular drone surveys of renourishment
  - SGCS to continue laser level beach profile monitoring
Additional monitoring proposed by SGCS
- Monthly review of satellite imagery of Anderson Inlet
- If changes detected
  - DEECA to investigate
  - Gippsland Ports bathymetry survey