Port Fairy Landfill

Understanding East Beach and Its Challenges

East Beach is always changing due to natural forces like wind, waves, and tides. These shape the land and ecosystems. While these processes are normal, erosion and flooding can create other challenges for the environment and local communities.

Over time, erosion has affected two old landfill sites at East Beach in Port Fairy. Storm events may result in waste appearing on the beach and necessary clean-up activities. In the future, stronger storms, shifting waves, and rising sea levels are expected to increase the risk of coastal hazard impacts on the landfills.

To protect local communities and the values of the coastline, we need to plan carefully for the future.

Why We Need to Act

The Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA) and Moyne Shire Council (MSC) have been working together for many years to manage the two decommissioned landfills at East Beach, Port Fairy.

These landfill sites are located on:

• Crown land (managed by DEECA)
• Private land (owned by MSC)

A Site Management Plan (SMP) has been developed and recently updated to ensure the impact of storm events and risks are managed effectively. Port Fairy Site Management Plan PDF

Since 2011, DEECA and MSC have also progressed technical studies to:

• Understand how much waste is in the area
• Learn about the effects of coastal hazards
• Assess short and long-term management actions for the site.

Engaging with the community has supported these studies, including consultation in 2022 on the range of management options.

The technical and engagement work to date is now informing the development of an adaptation action plan for managing coastal hazard risk at East Beach.

Our risk management approach must align to the directions of Victoria’s Marine and Coastal Policy (2020) and Victoria’s Resilient Coast adaptation framework (2023).

Developing a Coastal Adaptation Plan (CAP)

The Coastal Adaptation Plan (CAP) will help guide decisions about how to protect the coastline and reduce risks related to erosion, storms, coastal inundation and rising sea level.

The CAP will bring together past studies, engineering research, and community feedback. It will:

• Provide clear solutions for dealing with risks
• Consider environmental, social, and economic factors
• Outline the next steps for funding and approval

This project follows the Victoria’s Resilient Coast – Adapting for 2100+ (VRC) framework, ensuring a responsible approach to managing coastal hazards.

How the Project is Managed

DEECA and MSC have been working together since 2011 to manage the old landfill sites. A Project Control Group (PCG) oversees the work, with members from both organisations.

Community involvement is very important in shaping the plan. Past discussions have helped define what the community values about East Beach, guiding the solutions included in the CAP. Community feedback will be sought on the draft CAP.

Timeline and Next Step

The CAP will be finalised by 2026, with actions being put into place afterward. It will outline:

• Shared goals and priorities
• Ways to secure funding
• Roles and responsibilities of different groups
• Plans to monitor changes and adapt as needed.

This plan will help ensure East Beach remains safe and sustainable for the future.