[Greens-Media] Greens and community fear Pt Campbell headland collaspse

[Elizabeth.Ingham at parliament.vic.gov.au]

GREENS AND COMMUNITY FEAR PORT CAMPBELL HEADLAND COLLAPSE
Colleen Hartland, Greens State Member of Parliament for Western 
Metropolitan Region visited Port Campbell over the Easter break to review 
issues regarding the Southern Ocean Beach House proposal.
Ms Hartland met with community representatives from Port Campbell 
Community Group and showed concern about the scale and potential impacts 
of this development. She expressed her appreciation for Port Campbell?s 
unique coastal village character, saying "We have often stayed at the Port 
Campbell National Park caravan park because we like how peaceful it is, 
unlike Lorne and Apollo Bay". 
In Parliament last week, Ms Hartland asked the Minister for Planning 
whether a full extensive geotechnical assessment would be undertaken on 
the proposed development to assess the potential impact on the surrounding 
public land. She referred to specialist geological advice supplied by 
Russell Brown who mapped the area?s instability for VicRoads. It was on Mr 
Brown?s advice that VicRoads closed the Great Ocean Road on the headland. 
Mr Brown has written "the area is unstable and prone to active erosion, 
and this development is high risk". He has also written "Collapse of the 
major cavern to the south of the proposed development could occur at any 
time. It is possible that this would involve a sudden cliff face recession 
of up to 45 meters" and this "collapse may be without warning, sudden and 
catastrophic". If the headland collapses the roadway would have to be 
moved further north through the development site. 
Ms Hartland also referred to advice to the Minister from Dr Susan White of 
the Geological Society of Australia who said "the potential for collapse, 
especially with increased channelled runoff, is very high", and Professor 
Brian Finlayson from University of Melbourne who urged the Minister to use 
his powers to have a panel with technical expertise assess the potential 
threats to the coast from the development and vice versa.
The hazards of building large buildings near these cliffs and caverns has 
also been pointed out by world renowned coastal geomorphologist Dr Eric 
Bird because of the risk of damage resulting from their collapse, and of 
consequent injuries or deaths. Dr Bird has raised the issue of legal 
responsibility if such structures are permitted (geotechnical advice 
having been ignored), and a collapse then occurs.
Ms Hartland asked the Minister who would be responsible for private and 
public property damage and loss of life in the event of a collapse. Ms 
Hartland also questioned the proposal to remove 4-5 out of the 14 existing 
car park spaces in the port facility and to accede some public Crown land, 
asking whether a full infrastructure assessment will be undertaken on the 
impact on the port facility. She also queried if all stakeholders, 
including the RSL, have been consulted.
Mr Brown has recommended a full geological assessment be undertaken of 
this current roadway as it is on unstable land and is already he believes 
high risk. He said as the smaller port boat trailer park it was low risk.
Community members are requesting an Environmental Impact Statement to 
bring these concerns into public scrutiny and to comply with the Western 
Coastal Board?s suggestion that they would expect any approval for the 
site ensures the geological issue is thoroughly investigated prior to 
commencement, monitored through the life of the development through 
publicly-accessible reporting and include appropriate permit conditions to 
prevent future geotechnical issues arising.
Ms Hartland?s questions follow the Member for Western Province Mr Peter 
Kavanagh?s questions to the Minister regarding potential geological 
impacts. The Minister has not yet replied to Mr Kavanagh?s question. 
[attachment "aerial view.jpg" deleted by Elizabeth Ingham/Greens/PARL] 
For Further Information:
Dr Marion Manifold - Port Campbell Community Group - 5593 1932
Colleen Hartland MLC - 9651 8788
Liz Ingham (Office of Colleen Hartland) - 0409 333 595
*********************************************
Liz Ingham
Office of Colleen Hartland MLC
9651 8413 / 0409 333 595
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