Silverleaves residents “praying for a mild winter”, free of storm surges

Silverleaves’ Ken Hailey reckons locals are fearful of another severe storm surge this winter.

“We’re all praying for a mild winter,” he said.

What happened: Silverleaves residents have faced an encroaching shoreline with the risk of severe flooding and water inundation from storm tides for decades.

A Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA) report released in July 2024 stated the western shoreline at Silverleaves had receded about 77 metres since 1953.

• The report also showed the erosion was accelerating. 

Works on the way

In October last year, the state government completed an adaptation plan for the suburb to protect it against water inundation and announced $1.4 million in funding for the works.

• The plan outlined sea levee walls, dune restoration and groins (long structures built into the ocean to prevent erosion) as possible works to protect the coastline.

Then in December, the federal government announced another $1.4 million in coastal protection works for Silverleaves.

Silverleaves residents, naturally, are eager to see the job started and completed before the next big wet. But they may be waiting a winter or two more.

The $2.8 million funding will be spent by DEECA and Bass Coast Shire Council. The next phase in the timeline involves hiring a consultant, “developing concept and detailed designs and planning for the delivery/construction of these works”.

“People are frightened,” Hailey said. “If the water comes in, not only have you got houses, you've got roads, electricity, septic tanks and a lot of other infrastructure damage.”

• Hailey is worried that another severe weather event will damage the rockbag wall at Silverleaves beach, built in 2024 to protect the suburb from further flooding.