Living with cliffs - Anglesea
Case studies from Victoria’s south-west coast
Coastal Management Fact Sheet
These case studies demonstrate some of the diversity of our spectacular rocky coast, and show how
coastal cliff hazards have been understood and managed to reduce risk to the public
Victoria’s geological heritage
The rocks that form the coastal cliffs of Victoria vary greatly in
size, geology, age and stability. Understanding how they have
developed and changed enables us to appropriately manage
these iconic landscapes. This ensures they are protected and
can be safely enjoyed for years to come.
While currently stable and vegetated, further collapse of this
feature cannot be ruled out. Therefore public access to this
area is restricted, with the Surf Coast Walk passing inland and
above the landslide complex. The Eumeralla Scout Camp is set
back a safe distance from the landward edge of the slip.
Demons Bluff
The sheer cliffs of Demons Bluff (pictured right) are a
prominent coastal feature of Anglesea, in the south-west of
Victoria. Rising from the mouth of the Anglesea river up to a
maximum height of 50 m near Grinders Point, they then fall
again to a height of 10 m near Black Rock.
These cliffs are composed of layers of soft siltstones and
sandstones, deposited up to 45 million years ago then uplifted
and slowly eroded landward. The beach below is submerged
at high tide and the Surf Coast Walk extends along the cliff
tops.
Due to the softness of the rock, these cliffs are easily eroded,
and have experienced a number of slips and collapses, small
and large. Between Grinders Point and Black Rock lies the 2
km long Demons Bluff Landslide Complex. This feature is
made up of a number of segments that have progressively
slipped seaward.
While currently stable and vegetated, further collapse of this
feature cannot be ruled out. Therefore public access to this
area is restricted, with the Surf Coast Walk passing inland and
above the landslide complex. The Eumeralla Scout Camp is set
back a safe distance from the landward edge of the slip.
Southside
Continuing east, between Point Addis and Southside-Bells
Beach, vertical cliffs ascend again as part of the the Jarosite
Headland. The same siltstones at Demons Bluff are again
exposed as dark silty clays beneath paler sediments.
Near the top of this cliff bed contains the mineral jarosite that
was mined in the 1920s to produce red oxide pigment, use to
paint the carriages of Melbourne’s historic trams, the ‘red
rattlers’.
Living with cliffs
Risk management on cliffs
Coastal managers are encouraged to consider risk
mitigation strategies that are proportionate to the type and
intensity of use, protecting public safety where required
while maintaining the natural character of the coastline.
As with Demons Bluff, the Southside cliffs are also easily eroded
and have experienced a number of slips (pictured above).
Melba Parade
Adjoining the township of Anglesea the cliffs between the Point
Roadknight and the Anglesea River are also undergoing natural
retreat. Failures in these areas have ranged from minor cliff falls
to larger-scale falls, such as the Melba Parade landslide in 1973.
This slip occurred at the end of seventh avenue down to the
beach at Soapy Rocks (pictured below).
Intervention measures introduced as a result of this landslip
included reprofiling the slumped mass, construction of drains to
control surface run-off and installation of a timber pilled retaining
wall.
These three case studies demonstrate the different risk
management approaches for a high-use town centre
coastline and more remote access area. A cliff collapse at
Melba Parade would likely cause more damage to life or
infrastructure than at Demons Bluff or Southside. Therefore
at Melba Parade a combination of risk mitigation strategies,
including geotechnical assessments are required. For the
other locations, ongoing monitoring is required due to the
high recreational use by the public. Warning signs and
fencing are erected to discourage access to the cliff edge
provide sufficient risk mitigation at Demons Bluff and
Southside unless conditions or there are changes in the
profile. All sites have restrictions on access at time of
higher tide and warning signs are erected.
Ongoing monitoring and review of coastal risks helps
ensure timely implementation of any new mitigation actions
where required, so that the public can continue to safely
enjoy these spectacular rocky landscapes.
What can I do to help?
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Published by the Victorian Government Department of Environment and Primary
Industries Melbourne, September 2013
© The State of Victoria Department of Environment and Primary Industries
Melbourne September 2013
This publication is copyright. No part may be reproduced by any process except
in accordance with the provisions of the Copyright Act 1968.
References: Bird, E.C.F., 1993. The Coast of Victoria. Melbourne University
Press, Melbourne 324 pp.
www.depi.vic.gov.au
Avoid walking near cliff edges or at the base of
cliffs and encourage others to do the same
Keep to formalised paths at the cliff top
Do not climb on cliffs as this can cause localised
damage and increase the rate of erosion
Avoid damaging vegetation: vegetation promotes
water infiltration and reduces erosive runoff
Obey all signs and stay behind safety fences
If you see evidence of a recent slip or collapse,
take a photo and report it to your local land
manager.
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also available in on the internet at www.depi.vic.gov.au
Disclaimer
This publication may be of assistance to you but the State of Victoria and its
employees do not guarantee that the publication is without flaw of any kind
or is wholly appropriate for your particular purposes and therefore disclaims
all liability for any error, loss or other consequence which may arise from you
relying on any information in this publication.