Decades of rubbish, faeces, asbestos and medical waste is at risk of spilling into the Southern Ocean if a million-dollar rock wall in south-west Victoria is not built in time.

Key points: The rubbish tip dating from the 1970s was originally 100 metres inland, but erosion has brought it to within coastal dunes

The rubbish tip dating from the 1970s was originally 100 metres inland, but erosion has brought it to within coastal dunes Council has approved the construction of a $1.1 million rock wall, but admits it is a stop-gap measure

Council has approved the construction of a $1.1 million rock wall, but admits it is a stop-gap measure Of nearly 600 landfill sites in Victoria, approximately 43 are located on the coast

The seaside community of Port Fairy has been petitioning the Moyne Shire Council for more than a decade to have rubbish from two decommissioned landfill sites, buried within coastal dunes, properly removed.

The landfill sites were closed in 1998, but coastal erosion over the past 21 years has thinned the sand between beach and rubbish.

By council's own estimates, one strong storm surge could spill waste dating back to the 1970s onto the beach and into the ocean.

"It's a problem that's not going away and we don't want to hand it on to another generation or council in five-to-10 years," said Moyne Shire Mayor Mick Wolfe.

"We don't want a massive storm surge and [to] have hazardous material spew out. "

Rubbish from the decommissioned Port Fairy tip emerges through the dunes. ( Supplied: Coast Adapt )

Council has approved the construction of a $1.1 million rock wall, which will extend on an existing structure that aims to dispel the wave energy and protect the last remnants of sand between the ocean and the rubbish.

At 280 metres, the original rock wall — built in 2015 — is shorter than the old tip's sea frontage.

Council has admitted it is a stop-gap measure.

"To be honest, who knows what's actually buried there. We're talking a tip that's 50 or 100 years old," Cr Wolfe said.

"There wasn't care for asbestos or gases back in those days. We don't really know to the full extent what's there at the moment."

History repeating

Just four years ago, rubbish from the old tip site was washing into the Southern Ocean.

Wild weather tore the coast apart, leaving car parts, old fridges, freezers and television sets strewn across the sand.

The Port Fairy Coastal Group has been monitoring erosion at the scene for decades and believes the beach has slowly eroded over time.

Committee member Ian Powell remembers when the original tip sites were used in the 1970s.

"They were inland by 100 metres or more by the coast, so they were no problem then," Mr Powell said.

"Over time, the erosion's taken place and it's only then they've become an issue.

"There's been tremendous erosion, about 100 metres now. There was a road in front but that's totally gone now, it's in the sea now."

This manmade rock wall is all that stands between the ocean and the decommissioned Port Fairy tip. ( Supplied: Moyne Shire Council )

It is an issue that could have statewide implications.

Across Victoria there are 514 closed landfill sites and 74 operating tips, according to the Environment Protection Authority (EPA) of Victoria.

Among those, approximately 43 are located on the coast.

"Landfilling-in sand dunes, we understand, may have occurred prior to licensing coming into effect," said EPA director Rachel Gualano.

"EPA continues to work with local councils, regional waste and resource recovery groups, and the Department of Environment Land Water and Planning to manage any potential risks when these sites are uncovered."



The cost of the coast

The cost of completely removing the tips has been looked into many times over the past 20 years.

The latest report estimated it would cost $10 million to completely remove the rubbish from the Port Fairy site.

Cr Wolfe is urging the State Government to release money from its Sustainability Fund, saying Port Fairy cannot risk a spill.

"We can't afford be known as 'that's the place where the tip spilled into the ocean'," Cr Wolfe said.

Rubbish spills from the old tip site in Port Fairy. ( Supplied )

"We've got a few coins to do these reports, but we need to fix the problem.

"There'll certainly be a lot of flack if there's a break through in the dunes and rubbish is exposed.

"For $20 million, at most, we can fix it and will be safe and secure, and so will the environment. That's all we want."

The State Government was contacted for comment, but did not respond before deadline.

Not just rubbish that could float away

Coastal monitoring also paints an interesting picture for many of the million-dollar homes that dot Port Fairy's coastline.

Rising sea-levels and erosion puts around 200 beachfront homes at risk of being undermined, with local roads often blocked due to storm surges.

A 2012 study by University of New South Wales said that rising sea levels are a growing risk for the seaside town, something local councillor Jordan Lockett knows all too well.

"You only need to drive along South Beach after a storm to see that," Cr Lockett said.

Rough waves crash across the road in Port Fairy's South Beach precinct. ( Supplied )

"Rock walls are short-to-midterm solutions. Council wants to act now so this isn't something we want to still be talking about in 50 years.

"South Beach, outside of the tip site, is almost more of a problem.

"Drive around the passage and there's seaweed all over the road. Add a one metre sea rise on that — these roads won't exist."

No date has been set for the start of construction on the rock wall.