Beaches

Safeguarding Elwood Beach for the future

The City of Port Phillip and Department of Sustainability and Environment (DSE) are working to safeguard Elwood Beach for the future. Elwood Beach was last renourished in 1983. In addition to typical erosion processes, Elwood beach is also experiencing the impacts of climate change and accelerated erosion with storm events increasing frequency and severity. In recent years, Elwood Beach has been receding by around 0.7 metres per year. If action isn’t taken soon the beach will continue to erode, threatening not only the future of the beach, but the foreshore buildings and other infrastructure.

Community consultation

Port Phillip Council worked with DSE to lead the public consultation. Surveys and two meetings were held with local stakeholders. The process enabled expectations to be first clarified to then build a consensus on one design that would rebuild Elwood beach sand and allow replacement of the Elwood Angling Club boat ramp. The initial surveys and meetings involved representatives from Elwood Life Saving, Sailing and Angling Clubs, Sea Scouts and businesses. With agreement from all the stakeholders on the development of one design, a public information meeting was then held to seek wider community input on the proposed works. 

Members of the public were invited to attend the community information meeting 21 July 2010 on the enhancement of Elwood Beach. As the meeting DSE and Council answered questions and explained details about the project including safety consideration and potential timing to minimise disruptions to the public, foreshore clubs and businesses.


Based on the consistent feedback from the stakeholders and public, DSE then set about developing the detailed design for public tender and construction.

Safety Message

While works are underway on the beach, there will be sections of the beach that are closed to the public. Whilst inconvenience to the public will be minimised as much as possible, safety is the first priority. At the end of the project there will be a fantastic new beach for the whole community.

Elwood Beach renourishment works

The DSE will be investing around $3 million to renourish Elwood Beach to ensure its future viability for the enjoyment of the whole community. The works will involve importing new sand which will increase the width of the beach to 25 metres at high tide and building a rock groyne to help hold the beach sand for at least the next 20-25 years. The decaying Elwood Angling Club wooden boat slipway has already been removed in response to safety risks to beach users and boat users in the bay. A replacement boat ramp, in combination with the rock groyne to maintain the new beach sand has been incorporated into the design.

Other Works

Along the rest of Elwood Foreshore, the City of Port Phillip is also considering investments to enhance the area with upgrades to the Bay Trail bicycle path, upgrades to the remaining sections of the carpark and treating stormwater flows from the carpark before it enters Port Phillip Bay.

More Information

You can find more information about the proposed Elwood Beach works in the 22 February 2010 Council Report or DSE website www.dse.vic.gov.au

DSE project update Jan 2011 factsheet

Contact us

Written comments can also be provided by email to ospace@portphillip.vic.gov.au or by post to :

Foreshore Coordinator - David Hehir
Parks & Open Spaces
City of Port Phillip
Private Bag 3
PO St Kilda 3182

Alternatively use eServices to ask us a question, request information or give us feedback online.