This report was prepared as part of the Port of Melbourne Corporation (PoMC) Channel Deepening Project and is a detailed look at the hydrodynamic processes operating in the southern reaches of Port Phillip Bay.

This report was prepared as part of the PoMC Channel Deepening Project and considers the sediment transport mechanisms, pathways and volumes entering the southern reaches of the Bay.

This study was commissioned by the Bellarine Bayside Foreshore Committee of Management (BBFCoM) and Department of Sustainability and Environment (DSE) to look at coastal processes in the eastern section of the Bellarine Peninsula, from Ramblers Road to Edwards Point From this, at risk areas were identified and management strategies suggested to mitigate risk.

This provides a thorough understanding of the physical conditions and processes in and around Geelong. Waves and sediment transport were modelled, with an assessment of historical aerial photography to determine any shoreline change over the 57 years from 1944 to 2001. The study concluded that the study area coastal processes are dominated by low but persistent wave-energy. It also concluded that sections of the study area are naturally susceptible to erosion with headlands in particular and beaches between Portarlington and Point Richards eroding at various rates.

This report was prepared by Water Technology for Parks Victoria and investigated the coastal process at Portarlington in relation to the development of options for the safe harbour. The report includes the results of hydrodynamic modelling, wave modelling, wave climate analysis for littoral transport and aerial photography comparisons for Portarlington.

The results showed a net westward sediment transport rate of about 1,000 - 2,000 m ³/yr over the summer months and close to neutral in winter. The net westerly transport is significantly lower than the 2 to 4 years average maintenance dredging of 21,000 m ³ . The presence of the harbour disrupts the longshore transport, thus reducing the volume available for beach replenishment. The study also showed that the circulation at Portarlington is dominated by tidal currents and that wind-driven currents have minor impact. Comparisons of the aerial photography from 1950 to 2001 pointed out that, in the immediate lee of the breakwater, the coastline is gradually advancing but between Portarlington and Point Richards the coastline is retreating. The report broadly discusses the impact of climate change. As mitigation options, the study proposed a combination of sand by-passing, beach nourishment and groyne construction. The report includes a concept plan of the harbour development.

This report reviewed the coastal processes in the vicinity of and implications for the Queenscliff Pier. The report concluded that the existing shoreward end of the Pier will continue to be buried periodically by sand. The report analysed the historical hydrographic survey and aerial photography. Comparison of 1993, 2006 and 2008 hydrographic surveys showed no significant shallowing trend in the offshore areas in the vicinity of the Queenscliff Pier. A review of the coastline from 1939 to 2007 showed a gradual progression of the coastline with movement of approximately 25 m offshore at the location of the Pier between 2001 and 2007.

As a part of the ongoing program of Department of Sustainability and Environment for renourishment of beaches around Port Phillip Bay, BBFCoM engaged Oldfield Consulting Australasia to conduct monitoring of the renourished beach. The monitoring included regular level surveys over a period of 15 months starting in November 2012 over a beach length of 2 km between Portarlington Pier and Point Richards. The initial survey reported that the beach had a relatively flat slope of about 1 vertical to 50 horizontal. Within two months, the survey showed that beach slope had changed typically less than 4% from the baseline; however, the survey confirmed that sand was being transported offshore from the swash zone. Along the beach renourishment site, the total volume of sand was reported to be reduced by 0.4%. It indicated longshore transport towards west over the two-month period.