Loading ...Originally written by BILL MELDRUM
A KEY geotechnical report has found a further
significant landslide adjacent to and above
the Anderson Point stairs is almost certain to
happen.
It has also said collapses in the weathered basalt
in the near vertical cliff face below the entrance to
Clifton Court, extending 30 metres to the south,
are possible in the immediate future and highly
likely in the longer term.
If the relevant authorities decide to proceed with
engineering works to protect assets and stabilise
the cliff, it would cost an estimated $1.3 million
to $2.7 million.
The Department of Sustainability and
Environment issued a strong safety warning for
the public not to use or go anywhere near the
stairs after the report by consultancy Parsons
Brinkerhoff found ongoing movement and a large
tension crack in the area.
A summary of the report from the DSE said: “the
200 millimetre tension crack in the cliff top to the
north of the already failed cliff, is likely to be the
beginnings of a much larger landslip”.
“This larger landslip would probably destroy the
Anderson Pt steps and fan out into the ocean,”
it said.
Representatives from the DSE, Parsons
Brinckerhoff and the Glenelg Shire met with
local residents and key stakeholder groups near
the site on Thursday.
It is understood the landslip at Anderson Pt has
already involved 2500 cubic metres of unstable
cliff face shifting.
DSE project manager Ross Gillett said the report
gave several management and remedial strategy
options that would be considered by the DSE in
liaison with the local community.
He said additional safety works to restrict public
access to the area would include new permanent
fencing and warning signs on the cliff top to the
end of Wade St, and removing a section of the
Anderson Pt stairs.
The report gives three strategy options on how to
respond to the growing landslip problems. They
include:
• Adapt and undertake monitoring and safety
measures — the DSE summary document
said under this strategy the community and the
government would be required to live with the
risks which were likely to increase with time.
“Beach access would be excluded … in the
medium to long term, vehicle access to properties
along Clifton Court would be lost,” it said.
“Monitoring and maintaining public safety
would be major components of ongoing costs.”
• Retreat — this strategy would “eventually
involve the removal of all infrastructure from the
cliff top, including the car park, Clifton Court and
some houses”.
• Protect — this involves undertaking major
engineering works to maintain the current amenity
values and land uses, by stabilising the cliff.
The consultant’s report describes three
engineering options to achieve the protection
strategy at an estimated cost of between $1.3
million to $2.7 million.
The release of the report came after the Glenelg
Shire Council publicly urged the DSE at its recent
meeting to release its contents to allow the shire
to proceed with crucial infrastructure work in the
area.
Member for South West Coast Denis Napthine
was also keen for the report to be released and
had sought it through Freedom of Information
requests.
Mr Gillett said the DSE would fully consider
the report in relation to Victorian Crown land
management policies, including coastal protection
priorities.
“Any decision regarding future works will
also take into account the results of the ongoing
monitoring of the landslip area and immediate
safety concerns,” he said.
The detailed Parsons Brinckerhoff is available at
the DSE website by going to www.dse.vic.gov.au
and then proceeding to the marine, publications
section.
UNSTABLE … the landslip at Anderson Point poses further risks. Picture: JOSH NASH 090605jn19
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