Coastline in Crisis
Our story of the Inverloch coastal erosion began in 2013 with a major research project, the Inverloch Coastal Resilience Project, which mapped the natural values of the coast and 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.
Pictorial history
2003
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.
Read more to find about the Inverloch Coastal Resilience Project in more detail and to access the full research reports.
Analysis of coastline changes
The pictorial history slide show above shows the progression of the coastline erosion. This 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.
The Cape to Cape Resilience Project
The Victorian Government’s Cape to Cape Resilience Project was completed in two stages:
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Stage 1: 2021/22-Undertaking of a Community Values Study and the Inverloch Region Coastal Hazard Assessment
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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.