Cape to Cape Resilience Project

The Inverloch Region Coastal Hazard Assessment (CHA) is a core technical investigation undertaken in the Cape to Cape Resilience Project. Informed by extensive analyses of the region's geological formation, local conditions, and historical and recent changes along the Cape to Cape coastline, the project team developed various computer models to simulate conditions of the local coastal, estuarine and catchment areas.

These models assessed:

• storm-tide
• waves
• sediment transport
• shoreline response (erosion/accretion).

The models have been used to examine how the coastline might change and respond by looking at both present day conditions and predicted future changes, such as rising sea levels and changing wind and wave climates.

This assessment's outcomes help us better understand some of the complex processes impacting our coastline and surrounding areas. As a result, we can now identify areas and assets that may be vulnerable to coastal hazards and changing climate conditions. This knowledge helps to inform the development of possible management or adaptation responses.

For more information about the CHA, check out these two presentations:

• Understanding the Coastal Hazard Assessment - a summary of the methods, modelling and key outcomes
• A strategic approach to adaptation - how the project team uses the outcomes to strategically plan our approach for managing coastal areas in the region.

Hazard maps

Estimated as 'coastal hazard extents', mapping the CHA modelling results indicates areas along the Cape to Cape coastlines that may be exposed to inundation (flooding), erosion (sand loss) or sea level rise.

Many maps have been produced by the project team, showing combinations of the different hazard types, storm events and timeframes. This helps to highlight how hazards and exposure varies for each hazard type, storm events, climate conditions and over different timeframes. This spatial understanding informs our understanding of exposure, vulnerability and risk.

You can view the hazard maps below. Be sure to read the Hazard Map Information Sheet for more information about the maps and how they help us to plan for the future.

• Hazard Map Information Sheet (Word)/(PDF)
• Cape to Cape Region Erosion Hazard Map_1% AEP (JPG)/(PDF)
• Cape to Cape Region Storm Tide Inundation Hazard Map_1% AEP (JPG)/(PDF)
• Cape to Cape Region Storm Tide Permanent Inundation Hazard Map (JPG)/(PDF)
• Inverloch Erosion Hazard Map_1% AEP (JPG)/(PDF)
• Inverloch Erosion Hazard Map - Bunurong Road and Surf Parade_10% AEP (JPG)/(PDF)
• Inverloch Storm Tide Inundation Hazard Map_1% AEP (JPG)/(PDF)
• Inverloch Storm Tide Inundation Hazard Map AEP Storm (JPG)/(PDF)
• Inverloch Permanent Inundation Map (JPG)/(PDF)
• Venus Bay & Tarwin Lower Storm Tide Inundation Hazard Map_1% AEP (JPG)/(PDF)
• Venus Bay & Tarwin Lower Permanent Inundation Hazard Map (JPG)/(PDF)

The Community Values Study is a key initial study for the Cape to Cape Resilience Project. It provides a basis for better understanding the community’s values, priorities and perspectives in the context of adaptation and resilience planning for the coastal areas of the Cape to Cape region

Data that informed the Community Values Study came from an extensive engagement process between July and September 2021.

You can find the full details of this engagement in our Community Values Study, or a snapshot of the findings below:

Values and Experiences Survey (Snapshot) October 2021 (Word)/(PDF)

Community Values Study December 2021 (Word)/(PDF)

Community Engagement: Adaptation Survey Outcomes (Snapshot) April 2022 (Word)/(PDF)

Summary reports

The full suite of Stage 1 Reports will be released soon.

We have created summaries of the key reports from the Coastal Hazard Assessment to help communicate the key work and findings of the project.

CHA Coastal Processes Report Summary

CHA Inundation Report Summary

Risk and Vulnerability Report Summary

CHA Adaptation Actions Technical Assessment Report Summary

Adaptation can be defined as 'the process of adjustment to actual or expected climate and its effects’.

A range of actions can be considered for mitigating coastal hazard risk and adapting to climate change. These may include activities associated with planning, capacity building, engineering, or other themes.

In considering options to mitigate coastal hazard risk, the Victorian Marine and Coastal Policy (2020) provides direction to respect natural coastal processes, apply an adaptation pathways approach, and consider options in the following order:

• non-intervention
• avoid
• nature-based methods
• accommodate
• retreat
• protect.

More information about the approach to adaptation and these options can be found in Factsheet #6 Strategic Approach to Adaptation and Factsheet #7 Adaptation Action.

The Cape to Cape Resilience Project is a coastal hazard adaptation project, overseen by the Inverloch RaSP. The project includes:

• new research through a Coastal Hazard Assessment
• extensive community engagement
• a coastal risk and vulnerability assessment, and
• coastal resilience planning.

In response to erosion experienced along the Inverloch foreshore, coastal hazard adaptation options will initially focus on the 5 km coastline from Flat Rocks to Screw Creek.

Working with the RaSP agencies, the project team will consider a range of adaptation options for this stretch of coastline. The Inverloch Coastal Hazard Assessment, risk assessments, and community values and adaptation preferences will inform the development of possible options.

Using tailored objectives and criteria, we will shortlist options to examine further. Criteria will include community values, environmental impacts, costs, performance and effectiveness, and amenity (including impacts on access and aesthetics). Importantly, the order of consideration for options must also align with the directions for managing coastal hazard risk outlined in the Victorian Marine and Coastal Policy (2020).

A detailed analysis of the shortlisted options will draw on modelling, economics, and strategic planning to determine actions for Flat Rocks to Screw Creek and inform adaptation planning for the broader Cape to Cape coastline and communities.

Computer models will test the performance and suitability of different adaptation options (interventions) under different scenarios. Up to 5 adaptation interventions will be modelled to determine their effectiveness in mitigating hazard risk and considering potential impacts on surrounding areas.

We will assess options for present-day and future conditions to ensure they are appropriate now and how long they will be effective. Short, medium and long term actions can then be included in the adaptation planning process.

While we plan, develop and design adaptation solutions, the Inverloch Coastal Protection Interagency Working Group continues actively monitoring the coastline to determine if further short-term, rapid response/management measures are required.

The project provides many different and exciting opportunities for the community and stakeholders to be involved.

Using a range of in-person and online activities and events, we will be looking to share key information from the project. We are also keen to gather your insights into what you value about the coast from Cape Paterson to Cape Liptrap, and your perspectives on adaptation and resilience.

We will be providing regular updates and factsheets to keep you informed about the project.

The study area for the Cape to Cape Resilience Project is between Cape Paterson and Cape Liptrap on the Bass Coast, Gippsland.

The area of interest includes:

There will be a range of project outputs, including:

• the Inverloch Region Coastal Hazard Assessment (CHA)
• a Community Values Study
• coastal risk and vulnerability assessment
• the Cape to Cape Coastal Resilience Plan.

The expected outcomes of the Cape to Cape Resilience Project include:

• identification of coastal hazards from Cape Paterson to Cape Liptrap and the extent of potential impact
• inundation, erosion and groundwater data and hazard mapping for the region
• stakeholders have up-to-date information to inform planning decisions and management of assets
• community values influence the direction of the research, management strategies and resilience planning.
• community understanding of local coastal hazards and management strategies.

Natural coastal processes like wind, waves, tides and currents work to shift sediment and shape the coastline. When these processes negatively impact on use of the coast, they become coastal hazards. These impacts could be environmental, social, cultural or economic impacts. Coastal hazards include coastal erosion and inundation.

The Coastal Hazard Assessment will consider:

• wind and wave conditions
• sediment transport
• coastal erosion
• permanent and temporary inundation (coastal and flooding), and changes in groundwater
• multiple sea level rise scenarios for storm and rainfall impacts will be modelled. Proposed scenarios are 0.2 m, 0.5 m, 0.8 m, 1.1 m and 1.4 m of sea level rise.

This new research will:

• assess present day conditions,
• calibrate models against historic events, and
• predict conditions for the future.

We’ll also look at different magnitudes of coastal storm events and potential changes in wind and wave direction.

Water Technology will undertake the Coastal Hazard Assessment and technical investigations.

The South Gippsland Conservation Society has been working on the Inverloch Coastal Resilience Project (ICRP) since 2018.

The project aims to:

• analyse the extent of coastline recession at Inverloch
• factors contributing to the changes
• ecological, geomorphological, Aboriginal cultural heritage and economic values

In August 2019 the first significant output of this project was produced:  the Inverloch Coastal Resilience Project Report (August 2019). The SGCS is continuing to work in collaboration with the Victorian Coastal Monitoring Program, DEECA, Bass Coast Shire Council and Parks Victoria for its project. More information about the ICRP and project reports.

The Inverloch coast is also the subject of various research activities through the Victorian Coastal Monitoring Program (VCMP).

The Cape to Cape Resilience Project will build on this work. One of the first tasks of the project is to review this previous work and understand where there are knowledge gaps.

The Inverloch Coastal Protection Interagency Working Group actively monitor the coastline and the condition of recent coastal protection works. If further short-term protection is necessary, the working group will decide together and seek funding for implementation.

Resilience is the capacity of systems to cope with or 'bounce back' following a hazardous event or disturbance. This includes social, economic and environmental systems. Resilience means responding or reorganising to maintain essential functions, identities and structures, while maintaining the capacity to adapt and transform.

Adaptation is defined by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) as ‘the process of adjustment to actual or expected climate and its effects’. The definition differentiates between human and natural systems. In human systems, adaptation seeks to moderate or avoid harm or exploit beneficial opportunities. In some natural systems, human intervention may facilitate adjustment.

Regional and Strategic Partnerships (RaSP) are a new tool under the Marine and Coastal Act 2018. RaSPs bring stakeholders together on regionally significant issues. The Inverloch RaSP is the first created under the new Act, gazetted on 6 August 2020.

The RaSP brings together Traditional Owners and nine agencies. They each have a role in managing coastal and foreshore values, assets and infrastructure around Inverloch. They commit to working together to respond to coastal hazards facing the Inverloch community now and into the future.

Find out more about the Marine and Coastal Act 2018.

The Inverloch RaSP has representatives from the following agencies and entities:

• Bunurong Land Council Aboriginal Corporation (BLCAC)
• Bass Coast Shire Council (BCSC)
• Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA) (lead agency)
• Department of Transport (DOT)
• Gippsland Ports
• Heritage Victoria
• Parks Victoria (PV)
• South Gippsland Shire Council (SGSC)
• South Gippsland Water (SGW); and
• West Gippsland Catchment Management Authority (WGCMA).

The Stakeholder Reference Group (SRG) is an independent group that supported Stage 1 of the Cape to Cape Resilience Project. The group included invited stakeholders and community members selected through expressions of interest.

The Inverloch Coastal Protection Interagency Working Group is separate to the RaSP. The Interagency Working Group consists of representatives from:

• DEECA
• Bass Coast Shire Council
• Parks Victoria
• Regional Roads Victoria
• West Gippsland Catchment Management Authority

The group focuses on addressing current erosion at Inverloch and developing a short-term erosion control plan for key areas around Inverloch. The RaSP will focus on longer-term adaptation over the wider Cape Paterson to Cape Liptrap coastal area.

Wreck Creek is a small intermittently closing and opening coastal lagoon located on the western edge of Inverloch. The lagoon is separated from the ocean by a sandy beach berm that forms and breaks down depending on the redistribution of sand and sediments by waves, tides, flood flows and winds. For questions related to the management of Wreck Creek, please read the frequently asked questions available in Word and PDF.