More beach for Dell

Jessica Benton
CLIFTON SPRINGS’ Dell Beach will come back to life in a project to restore the popular strip of foreshore, according to authorities.
State Government’s Department of Sustainability and Environment and City of Greater Geelong have chipped in more than $650,000 to restore the beach.
The department will spend $500,000 to “re-nourish” the foreshore area with widening of the beach and re-establishing washed-away sand.
Ward councillor Tom O’Connor said City Hall’s $155,000 would pay for beach access from Edgewater Drive and construction of a cliff-top pathway at Adrian Mannix Reserve.
The project follows a series of stories in the Independent over the past two years about residents calling for authorities to fix up the Dell.
Cr O’Connor said authorities had spent more than $300,000 in the same time on foreshore improvements at Clifton Springs, such as restoring public access to the Dell, battling erosion and revegetating the foreshore.
A council structure plan for Clifton Springs had mapped further improvements, he said.
“This plan is now the basis for an ongoing program that will result in a vastly improved coastal environment for local residents and visitors.”
Cr O’Connor said other improvements at the Dell would include landscaping and fencing removal.
Clifton Springs foreshore sub-committee’s Bernard Filbay said the Government had handed over its cash on an understanding it would “bring the Dell back to its former glory”.
“We’re certainly happy about the grant and we’re not against the beach re-nourishment but we think the Dell itself needs a fair bit spent on it, not just the foreshore area,” he said.
“If it all gets spent down there it’s a good thing but I hope the works will protect the cliff and heritage aspects of the mineral springs, too.
“The point being is that, for the beach to be nourished in good condition, there needs to be decent access to the beach.”
Mr Filbay said the committee would push for further improvements to the Dell, including vehicle access.