MORNINGTON Peninsula Shire councillors have approved construction works to begin on a long-awaited retaining wall to stabilise a section of cliff in Mt Martha following a landslip five years ago.
The decision, made at the council’s 14 October meeting, will also pave the way for the rebuilding of two access roads that have remained closed since the incident. The multi-million-dollar works are expected to start in November and be completed by December next year.
The landslip occurred on 29 September 2020 above the Esplanade between Ellerina Rd and Bradford Rd. About 30 tonnes of material and vegetation slipped onto the Esplanade, completely blocking the road. Luckily no pedestrians or vehicles were in the vicinity, and no one was injured.
The council has maintained that there has been no concern for the structural integrity of the houses above the landslip, but access to one property had been cut. A shire report said the “landslip started at the edge of the service road above the Esplanade and slid down the steep slope finishing on the far side of the Esplanade, completely blocking the road”. “The landslip also led to a stress fracture in another access road to the east of the landslip site. Both access roads have been closed since,” the report said.
The Department of Transport and the shire have been working together to resolve the issue. Immediately following the landslip, state government funding of $1.7m was withdrawn, leaving the shire no option but to pause the project until an alternative funding source became available.
Work to build the two access roads will be undertaken together as one project, which, once complete, will reinstate both residential and through access for nearby residents, service and delivery vehicles, and the public.
Speaking at the council meeting, Cr Patrick Binyon welcomed the decision, saying the “evaluation process was rigorous, and the awarded tenderer demonstrates the best overall value for money, technical capability and risk management for this complex project”.
“It is prudent that council selects a contractor with the proven technical skills to drill through granite rock and safely deliver works in difficult terrain, while still ensuring value for money. This approach reflects both engineering integrity and financial responsibility, ensuring the community receives the best possible outcome.
“This project will stabilise the landslip area, restore access to local roads closed since 2020 and strengthen long-term slope stability in a challenging coastal environment,” he said. “Once complete, it will directly benefit residents and service vehicles by reinstating safe, reliable connections.” Binyon said he also supported ongoing communication with affected residents throughout the construction period “to maintain transparency and community confidence”.
Cr Bruce Ranken said, “this is a critical mitigation project, and I think that there’s been some huge challenges, particularly around this area as well. The project’s about delivering on our commitment to keep the community safe”.
After the landslip an excavator was sent in to remove weighted material on the slope following geotechnical report recommendations. Pedestrian barriers have been in place along the service road to keep people away from the slip’s edge.
The approved remediation project is now going ahead following joint funding from the council ($2.19m) and the federal government’s Disaster Ready Fund Round 2 ($2.19m).
First published in the Mornington News – 21 October 2025
