- Published:
- Friday 30 October 2015
Minister for Environment, Climate Change and Water, Lisa Neville today announced that restoration work to protect the Mitchell River Silt Jetties at Eagle Point on the Gippsland Lakes will commence early in November.
The restoration work follows consultation with local community groups and individuals last year to determine how best to manage and preserve this important landform in the future.
The work will be carried out by Parks Victoria in three stages over three to four years. The first stage involves the use of rock beaching to stabilise the narrow sections of the silt jetties and to prevent further erosion.
Public access to last two kilometres of Rivermouth Road from the Parks Victoria toilet to Point Dawson will be closed for a few weeks during this time. This is to allow large machinery to work safely.
Future works will involve upgrading visitor facilities along the southern jetty, including formal car parking, picnic facilities, river access and improving recreational fishing opportunities in areas that can be accessed by vehicles.
The final stage will remove vehicle access from the eastern two kilometres of the southern silt jetty. A shared pedestrian and cycle path will be built to provide public access to Point Dawson. Revegetation on either side of the path will provide additional protection for the jetties.
Ms Neville thanked the community members and other interested parties who attended the two consultation workshops last year to discuss plans to care for these important sites for future generations to enjoy.
The Andrews Labor Government announced $2.5 million in funding to further improve the health of the Lakes in the 2015-16 Victorian Budget.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Environment, Climate Change and Water Lisa Neville
“The Mitchell River silt jetties are a unique geographic feature within the Gippsland Lakes. They were formed over thousands of years and hold a high level of cultural significance for traditional owners, the Gunaikurnai.”
“The naturally formed jetties are vulnerable to erosion from waves and wind and this restoration work is the first step in making sure that the jetties are protected.”