The Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning (DELWP) has issued a warning to the community to follow advice and stay safe around coastal cliffs between Torquay and Aireys Inlet.
The Department said cliffs in the area were subject to dynamic weather events and prone to cracking, erosion and landslips.
“Near Anglesea, monthly monitoring of the cliffs at Demons Bluff has shown widening cracks in the cliff face and authorities are expecting further erosion or a landslide in the future,” DELWP said.
“It is impossible to accurately predict when landslips may occur, but the widening of cracks at the top of the cliff increases the risk of an event occurring,” it said.
“There is often no warning and the volume of material that falls onto the beach below can be very large.”
DELWP said signage had been installed on the beach, at the boat ramp and along the cliff-top, and people in the area were strongly reminded to follow the posted advice for their own safety.
It said the Great Ocean Road Coast and Parks Authority (GORCAPA) had also installed fencing along the cliff top and was delivering revegetation programs to help reduce the risk to the public.
“Because at high tide, the waves reach the base of the cliffs, it is not possible to construct barrier fencing to close the area completely,” the Department said.
“Visitors need to actively take steps to protect themselves from harm and remain well away from the cliffs.”
DELWP said visitors to the beach should not walk underneath the cliffs at any time.
