Welcome to the
Silverleaves Conservation Association
We are a not-for-profit community group who love and cherish the unique environment of Silverleaves, Victoria.
Contact SCA: [email protected]
Contact SCA: [email protected]
Latest updates
ABC News 5th June 2025
Gippsland communities fear erosion protection not coping with rising tides. Click on link below.
Win News Gippsland 28th May 2025
Melina Bath Addresses Parliament. Minister has 14 Days to Respond
Silverleaves Conservation Association Welcomes Draft Adaptation Plan, Calls for Urgent and Ongoing Action
The Silverleaves Conservation Association (SCA) welcomes the release of the draft East Cowes and Silverleaves Adaptation Plan and acknowledges the substantial effort that has gone into its development. We commend the scientific rigour and evidence-based approach that underpins the plan and appreciate the opportunity to be actively engaged throughout the process.
The SCA is particularly grateful that the severe erosion issues facing Silverleaves have been recognised, and we thank DEECA and the project consultants for responding to community concerns with the installation of emergency protection measures. The placement of rock bags to stabilise the most vulnerable section of foreshore has been a critical first step.
However, Silverleaves requires a long-term, coordinated commitment that addresses the full extent of environmental threats, including both coastal erosion and land inundation. The area's unique ecological value must be protected with sustained action. We look forward to the release of findings from the current Melbourne Water study on projected sea level rise in the Rhyll Inlet—an issue highlighted in the FSC Range Coastal Processes Study—as it will significantly inform future planning for Silverleaves.
The SCA is broadly supportive of the recommended options for Sections A, B, and C. In particular, we urge DEECA and relevant authorities to prioritise the detailed design and construction works for Section B, so that the proposed trial can begin no later than August/September 2025. We are eager to see dune reconstruction progress, which will improve the integrity of the foreshore and the amenity of the beach in this section.
Ongoing erosion monitoring is essential. We are aware of signs of increasing foreshore erosion and vegetation loss near the eastern toe of the rock bag wall and continue to monitor this area closely. We request clarification on the scope of DEECA and Council’s monitoring activities—particularly whether drone surveys, reportedly being conducted every 6–8 weeks, include data on rock bag performance. We ask that this monitoring data be shared publicly and made available to the SCA.
We also seek expert advice on the potential role of groynes as part of a long-term solution. While we understand that groynes are an engineered rather than a nature-based approach, we believe a careful assessment of their feasibility, effectiveness, and potential side effects along the full length of Silverleaves beach would be valuable.
The SCA strongly supports the establishment and operation of the Community Reference Group, which has provided meaningful community input and engagement. We recommend extending this group's mandate beyond June 2025 for at least another 12 months to ensure continuity as the adaptation plan moves into its implementation and monitoring phase.
Finally, we request an update on proposed modifications to the new rock revetment and associated groynes, especially in light of their apparent role in accelerating erosion in Section B and degrading the old revetment in Section A. Understanding what remedial actions are planned is vital to ensuring an effective and balanced coastal management strategy.
We thank all stakeholders for their commitment to protecting the Silverleaves coastline and look forward to continuing our constructive partnership.
— Silverleaves Conservation Association
May 2025
The SCA is particularly grateful that the severe erosion issues facing Silverleaves have been recognised, and we thank DEECA and the project consultants for responding to community concerns with the installation of emergency protection measures. The placement of rock bags to stabilise the most vulnerable section of foreshore has been a critical first step.
However, Silverleaves requires a long-term, coordinated commitment that addresses the full extent of environmental threats, including both coastal erosion and land inundation. The area's unique ecological value must be protected with sustained action. We look forward to the release of findings from the current Melbourne Water study on projected sea level rise in the Rhyll Inlet—an issue highlighted in the FSC Range Coastal Processes Study—as it will significantly inform future planning for Silverleaves.
The SCA is broadly supportive of the recommended options for Sections A, B, and C. In particular, we urge DEECA and relevant authorities to prioritise the detailed design and construction works for Section B, so that the proposed trial can begin no later than August/September 2025. We are eager to see dune reconstruction progress, which will improve the integrity of the foreshore and the amenity of the beach in this section.
Ongoing erosion monitoring is essential. We are aware of signs of increasing foreshore erosion and vegetation loss near the eastern toe of the rock bag wall and continue to monitor this area closely. We request clarification on the scope of DEECA and Council’s monitoring activities—particularly whether drone surveys, reportedly being conducted every 6–8 weeks, include data on rock bag performance. We ask that this monitoring data be shared publicly and made available to the SCA.
We also seek expert advice on the potential role of groynes as part of a long-term solution. While we understand that groynes are an engineered rather than a nature-based approach, we believe a careful assessment of their feasibility, effectiveness, and potential side effects along the full length of Silverleaves beach would be valuable.
The SCA strongly supports the establishment and operation of the Community Reference Group, which has provided meaningful community input and engagement. We recommend extending this group's mandate beyond June 2025 for at least another 12 months to ensure continuity as the adaptation plan moves into its implementation and monitoring phase.
Finally, we request an update on proposed modifications to the new rock revetment and associated groynes, especially in light of their apparent role in accelerating erosion in Section B and degrading the old revetment in Section A. Understanding what remedial actions are planned is vital to ensuring an effective and balanced coastal management strategy.
We thank all stakeholders for their commitment to protecting the Silverleaves coastline and look forward to continuing our constructive partnership.
— Silverleaves Conservation Association
May 2025
Ministers Response
The SCA submitted a petition to State Parliament back in January 2025. The Minister for Environment Steve Dimopoulos has announce $15 million in funding. Pleas see his response below.
AGM
The SCA AGM will be held at Berninneit on Saturday 8th March 2025 at 10:30am.
Petition Handed Over
On Thursday 30th January 2025 the petition was handed over to Melina Bath MP, Member for Eastern Victoria Region. The SCA handed over 4181 signatures. This is not the final number however as a number of people have sent them directly to Melina's office. Thankyou to everyone who took the time to sign and we will keep you updated on the progress as the debate heads to the Upper House.
Petition Target Reached
With tremendous support from the local community and greater Victoria we have reached the required number of signatures to have the Legislative Council to call on the Allan Government to:
Urgently fund and implement DEECA’s proposed geotextile revetment to protect homes, public infrastructure
and public land in the short term, and work collaboratively with the community to plan and fund long term
solutions to mitigate and manage coastal erosion.
As of 25th January 2025 we have 2600 signatures. The SCA will continue to collect signatures until Thursday 30th January 2025 at which point they will be handed over to Melina Bath MP, Member for Eastern Victoria Region.
The SCA would like to thank all those who signed, particularly local businesses and those who gave up their time to collect signatures.
Urgently fund and implement DEECA’s proposed geotextile revetment to protect homes, public infrastructure
and public land in the short term, and work collaboratively with the community to plan and fund long term
solutions to mitigate and manage coastal erosion.
As of 25th January 2025 we have 2600 signatures. The SCA will continue to collect signatures until Thursday 30th January 2025 at which point they will be handed over to Melina Bath MP, Member for Eastern Victoria Region.
The SCA would like to thank all those who signed, particularly local businesses and those who gave up their time to collect signatures.
Petition - We Need Your Help!
A very successful rally was held last Monday 6 January on the Silverleaves beach and foreshore to highlight the desperate need for emergency funding for the promised geotech sandbags.
The Silverleaves Conservation Association is supporting a petition to the Victorian Parliament through Melina Bath MP, Member for Eastern Victoria Region as petition sponsor. We need to collect 2,200 hard copy signatures and have them delivered to Ms Bath's electoral office in Traralgon by 31 January. If this petition achieves the required signatures, we understand that this will trigger a debate in the Legislative Council which will add further weight to the voices advocating the Victorian Government to release funds for these critical works.
We need your help to collect signatures. Attached is a soft copy of the petition. If you are concerned about the Silverleaves erosion and the lack of works to date, please print this form and collect as many signatures, names and contact details as you can. The signatures must be from people who live in Victoria and can include people under age 18. Each person can only sign the petition once.
Before 31 January, please send your completed petition forms to:
Ms Melina Bath MP
Member for Eastern Victoria Region
P O Box 1506
Traralgon 3844
The Silverleaves Conservation Association is supporting a petition to the Victorian Parliament through Melina Bath MP, Member for Eastern Victoria Region as petition sponsor. We need to collect 2,200 hard copy signatures and have them delivered to Ms Bath's electoral office in Traralgon by 31 January. If this petition achieves the required signatures, we understand that this will trigger a debate in the Legislative Council which will add further weight to the voices advocating the Victorian Government to release funds for these critical works.
We need your help to collect signatures. Attached is a soft copy of the petition. If you are concerned about the Silverleaves erosion and the lack of works to date, please print this form and collect as many signatures, names and contact details as you can. The signatures must be from people who live in Victoria and can include people under age 18. Each person can only sign the petition once.
Before 31 January, please send your completed petition forms to:
Ms Melina Bath MP
Member for Eastern Victoria Region
P O Box 1506
Traralgon 3844
| Save Silverleaves Petition.docx |
Foreshore Rally
Concerned residents braved the wet conditions on Monday 6th January 2025 to rally the government to act immediately in order to save Silverleaves precious foreshore. Over 200 people rallied hoping to get immediate funding for the DEECA proposed sandbag wall as an interim protection measure.
Melina Bath MP
Member for Eastern Victorian Region
Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Education, Volunteers and Public Land Use
Melinda Bath MP spoke in parliament 26 November 2024 in regards to the Silverleaves foreshore erosion. Below is her contribution.
Silverleaves Beach, Cowes
Melina BATH (Eastern Victoria) (19:28): (1317)
My adjournment matter this evening is for the Minister for Environment, and it relates to a Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action funding commitment for the Cowes community.
Shoreline setback from coastal erosion has been heavily impacting the Silverleaves community at Cowes at an alarming rate.
A bird’s-eye view indicates that the shoreline has eroded at an accelerated rate in really the last two or three years of up to 8 metres a year.
There is a critical area, a stretch of about 2 kilometres from the Silverleaves coastline.
It starts west of Coghlan Road and it encompasses the east of Cowes beach at the sandy spit, extending to Observation Point.
Last week my colleague and the Shadow Minister for Water Tim McCurdy and I visited and spoke with residents Jude Doyle, Natalie Gray and Ken Hailey about the urgency of this situation.
We stood near one of the homes and saw how the erosion was just eating in and could certainly undermine homes and infrastructure there.
I was also contacted by Will Dwyer. Will is a member of the Silverleaves conservation society. They have been doing a power of work in collaboration with the department, but there is a significant urgency about protecting that shoreline.
The whole idea is urgent and immediate – it is called a geotextile revetment, and it is basically sandbagging the area. Clearly there needs to be a greater level of protective works, adaptation and protection, but at this point in time they are desperate because if these sandbags are not implemented by the end of summer, when we have got high tides in autumn and northerly gales in winter you are going to see some serious erosion of infrastructure and homes being taken away.
The government has made a commitment to implement this urgent action, but to date there has been no funding provided for this action.
A long-term adaptation pathway and coastal protection is required, and we see that across the coast. We see it also at Inverloch, along the Inverloch surf beach, unfortunately, that retreat is the option there, and that is not good enough.
The immediate action I ask is that the minister provide the funding for these geotextile sandbags and save this community.
Silverleaves Beach, Cowes
Melina BATH (Eastern Victoria) (19:28): (1317)
My adjournment matter this evening is for the Minister for Environment, and it relates to a Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action funding commitment for the Cowes community.
Shoreline setback from coastal erosion has been heavily impacting the Silverleaves community at Cowes at an alarming rate.
A bird’s-eye view indicates that the shoreline has eroded at an accelerated rate in really the last two or three years of up to 8 metres a year.
There is a critical area, a stretch of about 2 kilometres from the Silverleaves coastline.
It starts west of Coghlan Road and it encompasses the east of Cowes beach at the sandy spit, extending to Observation Point.
Last week my colleague and the Shadow Minister for Water Tim McCurdy and I visited and spoke with residents Jude Doyle, Natalie Gray and Ken Hailey about the urgency of this situation.
We stood near one of the homes and saw how the erosion was just eating in and could certainly undermine homes and infrastructure there.
I was also contacted by Will Dwyer. Will is a member of the Silverleaves conservation society. They have been doing a power of work in collaboration with the department, but there is a significant urgency about protecting that shoreline.
The whole idea is urgent and immediate – it is called a geotextile revetment, and it is basically sandbagging the area. Clearly there needs to be a greater level of protective works, adaptation and protection, but at this point in time they are desperate because if these sandbags are not implemented by the end of summer, when we have got high tides in autumn and northerly gales in winter you are going to see some serious erosion of infrastructure and homes being taken away.
The government has made a commitment to implement this urgent action, but to date there has been no funding provided for this action.
A long-term adaptation pathway and coastal protection is required, and we see that across the coast. We see it also at Inverloch, along the Inverloch surf beach, unfortunately, that retreat is the option there, and that is not good enough.
The immediate action I ask is that the minister provide the funding for these geotextile sandbags and save this community.
DEECA Interim Protection Works
DEECA has proposed interim protection works for Silverleaves. Please see the email below. There is also a document attached with a link to a video outlining how the works were selected and how they will be implimented.
Good afternoon,
This email is to provide an update on the interim protection works we have been exploring for the Silverleaves foreshore.
FSC Range have now developed designs and costings for these works while we continue with the adaptation planning. Andrew from FSC has put together a video presentation to explain this process and the preferred option, a geotextile revetment that can be modified, relocated or removed in the future to align with final adaptation options. Check out the video presentation for the full details.
We are continuing to seek funding for the revetment through grants and budget bids and we will keep the community updated as things progress.
For more information about the works to date, please see our most recent project update (attached).
You are receiving this email as you have been included on our mailing list for updates about Silverleaves. If you wish to have your email removed from our database or have general questions about this work, please reply to this email.
Kind regards,
DEECA Gippsland Coastal Projects Team
Gippsland Coastal Projects | Land & Built Environment | Gippsland
Regions, Environment, Climate Action and First Peoples | Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action
E: [email protected]
deeca.vic.gov.au
Good afternoon,
This email is to provide an update on the interim protection works we have been exploring for the Silverleaves foreshore.
FSC Range have now developed designs and costings for these works while we continue with the adaptation planning. Andrew from FSC has put together a video presentation to explain this process and the preferred option, a geotextile revetment that can be modified, relocated or removed in the future to align with final adaptation options. Check out the video presentation for the full details.
We are continuing to seek funding for the revetment through grants and budget bids and we will keep the community updated as things progress.
For more information about the works to date, please see our most recent project update (attached).
You are receiving this email as you have been included on our mailing list for updates about Silverleaves. If you wish to have your email removed from our database or have general questions about this work, please reply to this email.
Kind regards,
DEECA Gippsland Coastal Projects Team
Gippsland Coastal Projects | Land & Built Environment | Gippsland
Regions, Environment, Climate Action and First Peoples | Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action
E: [email protected]
deeca.vic.gov.au