My family has had a beach box on North Mt Martha beach since 1935. Unlike some owners, I do not expect the government to save my beach box. There are many worthy issues competing for government money. A bunch of us privileged people who own a beach box is not one of them.
It is predicted that almost half the world’s sandy beaches will have retreated significantly by the end of the century. Researchers attribute the loss of sand to climate change. They estimate 63% of low-lying coastal regions worldwide will be threatened by the end of the century. Losing sand in some communities will seriously affect people’s homes and livelihoods.
The government’s focus should be on protecting our beaches, not our beach boxes. This requires action on climate change.
First published as a letter to the editor, The Age, 11 September 2025