Port Fairy + Eastern Beach Long-term Management Plan

Moyne Shire Council needed a sustainable, long-term solution to address the exposure of landfill material caused by coastal erosion. The exposed waste presented unacceptable environmental and community risks as East Beach remains an important recreational asset for the local community.

Tonkin + Taylor was commissioned by Moyne Shire Council to develop a long-term management plan for two dormant landfill sites. The sites are located behind a migrating dune system that has been progressively eroded by coastal processes, exposing landfill waste along the seaward dune face.

The project investigated the long-term risks associated with continued coastal erosion and developed practical, cost-effective management strategies to protect the coastline, minimise environmental impacts, and support informed future decision-making.

Key projects challenges included:

  • Managing two historic landfill sites within an active coastal environment.
  • Balancing environmental, social and financial considerations.
  • Identifying solutions that would remain effective over short (0–10 years), medium (10–50 years) and long-term (50–100 years) planning horizons.

Understanding the uncertainty associated with future coastal change and climate impacts.

Services

  • Review of previous investigations and technical studies.
  • Assessment of long-term coastal erosion hazards.
  • Review of existing coastal protection structures.
  • Development of a range of costed long-term management options.
  • Evaluation of technical feasibility, environmental and social impacts, whole-of-life costs and performance.
  • Preparation of a comprehensive Long-term Management Plan and supporting summary report.

Client

  • Moyne Shire Council

Year

  • 2018

Adaptive framework

The project adopted an adaptive management framework by evaluating combinations of management options over different planning horizons rather than relying on a single permanent solution. Innovations included:

  • Use of “tipping points” to identify when management strategies would no longer remain viable.
  • Whole-of-life cost comparisons across multiple management pathways.
  • Integration of engineering, environmental and economic assessments into long-term coastal planning.

Delivering higher-value outcomes

The project provided Moyne Shire Council with:

  • A prioritised and costed long-term management strategy.
  • Improved understanding of future coastal erosion risks.
  • A practical pathway for staged investment and decision-making.
  • Recommendations that balanced environmental protection, community values and available funding.

Environmental + community impacts

The recommendations help protect one of Victoria’s valued coastal recreation areas while reducing environmental risks associated with exposed landfill material.

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