We’re pleased to share that the upgrade of the Bastion Point breakwater in Mallacoota, Victoria is now complete, and it’s working exactly as intended.
We’re pleased to share that the upgrade of the Bastion Point breakwater in Mallacoota, Victoria is now complete, and it’s working exactly as intended.
Originally constructed in 2016 to provide safe ocean access without crossing the hazardous Mallacoota Inlet bar, the breakwater had suffered significant storm damage over the years. Dislodged armour rocks posed serious risks to vessels, especially at low tide.
In early 2023, Magryn was engaged by East Gippsland Shire Council to assess the breakwater’s condition. Our findings revealed that much of the original armour rock was undersized for the open ocean conditions. We were then contracted to design a short-term remediation solution to ensure safe operation for the next five years.
Our design introduced a berm breakwater along the ocean-facing side, using large, durable armour rock, some weighing up to 20 tonnes.
This approach allowed us to:
Avoid deconstructing the existing breakwater
Use only primary armour stones
Rely on the existing structure for support
Paul Volk Contracting (PVC) began construction in November 2024, overcoming rock supply challenges by sourcing stronger, more resilient material from a distant quarry. The works were completed in March 2025, with a break over the peak summer holiday period.
The result is a robust, energy-dissipating structure that’s already proving effective. Everyone involved, including our client East Gippsland Shire, is pleased with the outcome.
Design work for a permanent remediation is scheduled to begin mid-2025, and Magryn looks forward to contributing to the next chapter of this important coastal infrastructure project.
