Two important beach access points at Lady Bay have been replaced and are now officially open.
Beach goers once again have easy access to the beach at McGennan Car Park and from Surfside Holiday Park.
“We’re really pleased to have these opened ahead of the summer holiday season,” Warrnambool Mayor Cr Vicki Jellie said.
“The new staircases are much more robust than the older timber structures they replaced.
“The design and construction anticipates the consequences of climate change including the likelihood of more intense storm and tidal activity that damaged the previous structures.
“These structures comprise more durable materials including stainless steel and have deep-driven piles which are a response to the harsh, dynamic coastal conditions experienced at Lady Bay.”
To help stabilise the sand dune around each staircase Council’s Parks and Gardens Team will use nature based materials to encourage the growth of native vegetation.
The project included new concrete paths, a landing, the stairs, fencing and at the McGennan Car Park access, a retaining wall.
Council engaged the design services from Warrnambool’s PM Design Group and site information from Joseph Land Surveyors.
The components of the new access points were manufactured by Queensland-based Wagners CFT Manufacturing while the assembly and installation was carried out by Melbourne-based CopeAg in collaboration with GreenCon and Tasweld from Warrnambool.
The cost of the McGennan Car Park beach access was$160,000.
The cost of the Surfside Holiday Park access was $90,000.
Project funding came from a Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning’s Coastal Public Access & Risk program ($150,000) and from Council’s Capital Works Program ($100,000).
