Surfers fight breakwater, fear impact on wave ‘Give us a break’

HAMISH HEARD
SURFERS have vowed to fight plans for a breakwater at Fisherman’s Beach, fearing it would ruin a popular surf break near the boat ramp.
The president of the Surf Coast branch of Surfrider Foundation, Iain Lygo, warned the breakwater would destroy a “right of passage” for young Torquay surfers.
The Independent revealed last week that Great Ocean Road Coast Committee had three options to improve safety for boat ramp users at Fisherman’s Beach.
Two of three options involved building a breakwater to shelter the ramp in rough conditions.
A popular surf spot called Fisho’s is adjacent to the ramp, producing small, clean waves when the surf is too big for most surfers at other locations.
Mr Lygo warned that a breakwater would be the end of Fisho’s.
“If you put a massive wall right through the break it will make it unsurfable,” he said.
“When Fisho’s is on every grommet in Torquay gets downs there and by taking it away you’re taking away a safe place for kids to develop as surfers.”
The foundation was also concerned about the effect of a breakwater on sand movements along the beach.
“What could feasibly happen is you could get a big sand bank at the end of the breakwater wall which will have to be dredged on an ongoing basis to allow boats in and out,” Mr Lygo said.
A sheltered boat-launching ramp could also be perilous for users in rough conditions, he warned.
“We’re concerned it will allow them to launch in more treacherous conditions and once they get out there’s all these bomboras and it’s just an accident waiting to happen.”
Mr Lygo said the foundation was preparing submissions to fight the breakwater options.
Great Ocean Road Coast Committee executive officer David Clarke said the organisation was consulting local and state governments, user groups and otherstakeholders on the options.
“It’s hoped a preferred option for the facility can be identified which will be subject to further investigation prior to finalising a feasibility study,” he said.