DRAINAGE issues are believed to be the cause of another landslip in the Olivers Hill area.

Onlookers told the Leader they had seen water pouring from the bottom of the hill beside Liddesdale Ave for the past three weeks.

Long-time resident Brian, who did not want his last name printed, said he was convinced the water flow had contributed to the landslip.

“I will guarantee it has — it was flowing across the footpath and on to the gutter (on Nepean Highway.

media_camera A local surveys the damage from the landslip. Picture: Chris Eastman

Another resident, Lisa Fitzgerald, said the area was notoriously unstable.

“It has happened before. It does not surprise me,” she said.

“I’m glad no one was walking under it (when the landslip occurred).

Council officials are investigating the matter.

Liddesdale Ave has been partially closed at Nepean Highway as crews work to remove debris from the site today.

Property had to be evacuated in 2007 due to a slip in the same spot and in 2012 southbound lanes of Nepean Highway were closed after the nearby gabion wall collapsed.

The latest landslip occurred as Frankston Council moves to introduce controls in the area to tackle the issue.

Councillors voted recently to call on state Planning Minister Richard Wynne to approve interim planning controls via an erosion management overlay for the Cliff Rd area.

The controls aim to ensure that “future buildings and works ... in the affected areas are responsive to the threat of landslide”, a council report stated.

Residents have been divided on the issue with many saying the controls are essential to provide safety for properties and life while others argue they will reduce property prices and inflate insurance premiums.

media_camera A cyclist cruises past the slip site. Picture: Chris Eastman

But the council report stated: “The protection of properties and safety is of greater importance than any perceived detriment that may arise from an erosion management overlay.”

Speaking at a council meeting to consider the matter, former mayor Christine Richards said that interim controls were needed urgently to protect the area.

Ms Richards applauded the report and voiced concern about risk to property and life without the controls.

Environmentalist Pat Bentley said she supported the controls.

Ms Bentley said underground springs were contributing to instability in the area.

Another supporter Neil Chrigwin said the controls would enable the community to be protected from inappropriate development causing landslip.

Opponent Christi Silke questioned the rationale for the council’s geotechnical investigation and added that it lacked technical substance.