This is Wadawurrung Country. We work closely with the Wadawurrung Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation to protect cultural values along the coast.
Severe weather in August/September 2024, including storm gusts of around 100km/h, had a significant impact on Steeles Rock, the coastal area at the end of Fairfax St, Portarlington.
Bellarine Bayside has been working closely with Wadawurrung Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation (WTOAC), the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA), and the City of Greater Geelong (CoGG) to manage and repair the erosion.
Like all coastal environments, Steeles Rock is constantly evolving—shaped by weather and natural processes—and requires thoughtful, collaborative management to protect its cultural, environmental, and recreational importance.
Several temporary safety measures are in place to ensure visitor safety and minimise further damage. Conditions can change quickly and there may be different safety measures in place than the last time you visited.
If you are visiting the site, please:
- Respect all closures.
- Do not enter temporary exclusion zones.
- Observe and follow all advice on signage.
The site will be closed to all public access on 22 and 23 September 2025 while beach nourishment occurs.
A highly valued place
Steeles Rock lies within an area of cultural significance to Wadawurrung people. It holds enduring value for Traditional Owners and has rich history of Wadawurrung Country.
It is a cherished community space, offering access to the beach, a single-lane boat ramp for launching small boats, car parking, and views across the bay.
The site also has built infrastructure, including stormwater outlets managed by the City of Greater Geelong.
Bellarine Bayside is the appointed land manager for the coastal Crown land site, on behalf of the Victorian Government, and reports to the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action.
The overlapping values and intersecting management responsibilities make Steeles Rock a complex site to care for. Collaborative management with all agencies is required to ensure ongoing protection of the important values and support safe, sustainable and inclusive access to the site – now and into the future
Erosion repair works
In collaboration with WTOAC, DEECA, CoGG, and coastal engineers, we have been working to develop a solution for the site.
Extensive surveys were required on the CoGG-managed stormwater infrastructure to determine the extent of damage and inform recommendations for repairs.
We are pleased to receive funding through the Victorian Government’s Coastal Public Access and Risk (CPAR) Grants Program 2024–25 to deliver a comprehensive coastal planning and restoration project.
Working with partner agencies, site repairs are expected to progress as follows:
Immediate make safe works are in place and the site continues to be monitored regularly with adjustments made to the safety controls to keep the site open and safe for visitors.
We will be placing around 500m3 of sand along the beach in front of the erosion to create a buffer to reduce wave energy against the current erosion. This is aimed at slowing down the rate of erosion while we undertake longer coastal adaptation planning to determine a medium to long-term solution.
This short-term solution has been determined in consultation with WTOAC, DEECA and CoGG.
Bellarine Bayside is committed to monitoring and replenishing the sand as needed over the coming months.
We are working with coastal engineers, in consultation with WTOAC, DEECA and CoGG, to develop medium to long-term solutions.
A coastal process study will analyse the natural forces at Steeles Rock - waves, tides, winds and the shape of the coast - to understand how this is influencing the physical environment and contributing to the erosion.
The study will inform adaptation planning for an engineered solution that is more enduring to stabilise the road and stormwater outlet while protecting cultural, environmental and community values. It will also help inform a solution that will have minimal impact on adjacent areas.
The coastal adaptation planning for medium to long-term restoration works is supported by the Victorian Government through Coastal Public Access and Risk Grants program.
