Beleura Cliff Path

Council considered the Landslide Risk Assessment and Options Report and recommendations at its 16 April meeting. That meeting was not concluded and will reconvene on 29 April, after which the final meeting minutes will be available.

This page will be updated with the details of Council’s decision as soon as the minutes are available.

Executive summary of Council report

The Landslide Risk Assessment and Options Report for Beleura Cliff Path has been completed by Stantec. The comprehensive report provides recommendations to mitigate risk and options for re-opening the path (to view, see Reports on the righthand side of this page).

The high-level costings of $10 million for path construction, detailed design ($500,000) and re-routing of the upper section of path (uncosted) put the next stages to reopen the path beyond the capacity of Council to deliver alone. Final approvals sit with the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA) and any construction will need State Government funding support.

A strong advocacy campaign is recommended to seek funding to fix and reopen this historical path that is much loved by many in our region and beyond. $10,000 of the current approved budget ($100,000 2023-24 budget) is suggested to be allocated for such a campaign.

The full report and Council meeting information is available: Council/Committee Meeting Agendas and Minutes

There is a total of six land slip areas and two of these have significantly destroyed sections of the path. As the land manager, we have an obligation to keep the area safe and for that reason the path is closed, with fencing and warning signs in place.

Since the closure of the path, the fencing put in place has been vandalised repeatedly, with holes cut in the fences and gates and panels thrown over the cliff edge. With installation and ongoing repair costs now totalling over $30,000, we have recently installed surveillance cameras in an effort to deter this illegal behaviour and reduce property damage. The installation and hire of the cameras is less than 5% of the cost of fencing to date.

The recommendations of the Landslip Risk Assessment report are being considered and an update will be prepared for Council in April.

Recent actions include:

• Crack sealing of intact areas of the path has been completed
• Drainage inspections and required works programmed
• Ongoing discussions with neighbours to support responsible water management on private property
• Shire supported Friends Group Working Bees, with first of the year on 1 February
• Fence repairs and reinforcement
• Surveillance cameras installed to monitor and deter vandalism

A meeting with local residents and community was hosted at the Shire offices on 29 November. The Landslide Risk Assessment report prepared by Stantec was presented to the group.

The report covers the following issues:

•  A summary of the findings of the desktop study carried out prior to the site inspection, including historical reports and anecdotal information provided by local residents and the Friends of Beleura Cliff Path community group;
• The findings of the LiDAR survey of the site;
• Observations made during the detailed site investigation;
• The detailed landslide risk assessment considering risk to life for people using the path and risk to property for the path itself, for all of the different areas identified along the length of the cliff. The risk to walkers on the beach, the risk to the beach itself and the risk to nearby properties are excluded from this scope of works;
• Consideration of the effectiveness and extend of current risk mitigation measures;
• Site maps identifying key features, including high risk zones, accessible areas, historic walks, past land movement and possible erosion sources (such as water sources);
• Options for remediation of the path (concept stage) with consideration of the Marine and Coastal Policy 2020, including advantages  and disadvantages of each option, an assessment of their individual construction feasibility and relative overall costs for the proposed options;
• Summary of potential issues resulting from a detailed consideration of predicted sea level rise, with an aim to focus on path remediation;
• Recommendations for future monitoring measures;
• Recommendations for future maintenance requirements; and
• Recommendations for ongoing engagement with private property owners regarding erosion management, including water management. 

Beleura cliff path was closed after several landslips badly damaged sections of the path, which sits on a mix of private property and Crown land belonging to the State.

It is not safe to use, and residents are urged not to risk using the path in its current state.

To assist the community, we have commissioned a risk assessment to explore options Council and the State Government could consider to safely reopen the path. Any decision on fixing the path ultimately rests with the State government for approvals and funding. Once finalised, the report will be shared with the community (end November).

We are not able to disclose conversations or actions taken with private property owners regarding drainage.

To prevent further damage to remaining sections of the path, crack sealing has been completed in the upper section.

The remaining middle and lower sections will be completed by the end of November (weather depending).

The path remains closed. For your own safety we ask that you do not enter the restricted area.

The Shire is continuing to repair and maintain the safety fencing for the protection of the community. The landslips have compromised the slope, the soil continues to move and both slips are unsafe. The public should not attempt to enter into the closed path or cross the landslip areas under any circumstances.

The consultant, Stantec has undertaken their initial site assessment.

The Shire and Stantec met with some residents and community representatives on the 4^th July to provide an update on the report and have a discussion to better understand the community concerns and hear their suggested solutions. Discussion was varied and raised a range of solutions.

The report is due to be finalised in September and will contain short and long term solutions.

The Shire has allocated $100,000 to assist with the design process in this year’s budget.

LiDAR drone survey of the area was undertaken on the morning 9 May 2023 to obtain latest landform information. Residents were sent a letter to notify them of the survey.

The LiDAR drone survey was undertaken along the full length of the Beleura Cliff Path extending approximately 50m upslope and downslope of the path. The drone was launched from the beach level. Significant portions of the survey will cover privately owned land with the proposed 50m boundary.

          LiDAR drone survey area.

The Shire will be undertaking crack sealing of the existing asphalt path. Crack sealing is required to ensure rainwater and overland flows, do not penetrate through the asphalt path into the subsurface material. These works will be undertaken by our maintenance team within the coming weeks.

The Friends Group volunteers are pleased to be back planting around the top section of the path with Shire contractors.

Stantec have been engaged by the MPS to undertake geotechnical review of the cliff and to establish proposed design options to rectify the path and to stabilise the area.

Numerous site visits and property inspections have been undertaken to investigate drainage and water runoff.

Meeting with Kalimna Drive Resident meeting was held on 22 March 2023, the following was discussed:

Residents adjacent to the path received a letter explaining their responsibilities and the potential impact excessive water use and runoff could have on the stability of the cliff.

New signage and fencing installed to facilitate restricted access for Friends Group working bees. 28 February 2023 - Meeting with Friends Group to identify safe working areas and recommence working bees in restricted access areas with extra support from the Shire.

Fencing regularly upgraded and improved in response to ongoing vandalism. This ensures that the community is aware that the path is closed for everyone’s safety.

Updated risk assessment undertaken by Stantec to determine if any areas of the path could be reopened or accessed in a restricted manner.

Download: Technical Memorandum Report - 9 March 2023(PDF, 2MB)
Download: Technical Memorandum Report - 24 January 2023(PDF, 1MB)

Section of path closed.

Site meeting with representatives from the Friends of Beleura Cliff, Mornington Coastal Advisory Group, Briars Ward Councillors, consulting engineer, Planning and Infrastructure Director and Shire officers to discuss the temporary closure and appropriate next steps.

There is a total of six land slip areas and two of these have completely destroyed sections of the path.

• Full path closure