The Nationals Member for Gippsland South, Danny O’Brien is calling on immediate action to address the growing impact of erosion along the Loch Sport foreshore.
Mr O’Brien has been campaigning with the local community for more than five years for a solution into the erosion issues, particularly around Seagull Drive and Toorak Avenue. He was recently advised by the Minister for Environment that yet another consultant’s report on solutions had now been received by the Government.
“I’ve been writing to the Minister for more than five years over these concerns and am regularly contacted by constituents in Loch Sport who are concerned about the continuing erosion,” Mr O’Brien said.
“The latest update I have received from the Minister for Energy, Environment and Climate Change, Lily D’Ambrosio is that yet another study has been received and is currently being considered by the Government.
“I am told that a meeting will be held to brief the Wellington Shire and local community on the result of this study, but understandably remain sceptical given that this is the ninth different consultant’s report on this issue in recent decades.”
Mr O’Brien recently showed the Minister before and after pictures of the extent of the erosion over the past five years to try and convince her of the need for action.
“I want to work with the community and the Government to ensure that we get a solution in place as soon as possible before further environmental damage is done.
“I appreciate the need to get the solution right, but it is now time for the Government to take action before it’s too late.
“The problem is, while the Government tries to work out the best solution the problem is only getting worse.
“It is very concerning to me that such an important issue has been allowed to drag out so long without any real action.
“I look forward to seeing the recommendations of the latest report that has been commissioned and hope that they offer real world solutions that can be implemented in a timely manner.”