The state government has dismissed as “nonsense” claims that it plans to remove the iconic bathing boxes from Melbourne bayside beaches.

The Victorian Liberal Opposition has seized on a draft coastal management policy, produced by the state environment department, warning that many of the state’s coastal structures were at risk of rising sea levels caused by climate change.

Beach boxes at Dendy Beach Brighton. Credit:Leigh Henningham

The draft states that private jetties, bathing boxes, boat sheds, and other structures are not necessary on seaside Crown land, that no more should by built and that some should be removed if the opportunity arises.

But the draft policy has sparked outrage among Coalition MPs, with environment spokesman David Morris saying the policy marked a change in how the people of the state can enjoy its coastline, particularly the state-owned land that stretches for 200 metres above the high water mark.