Fed: Fed govt backs sea wall to be built at historic Anzac Cove

AAP General News (Australia)
04-15-2010
Fed: Fed govt backs sea wall to be built at historic Anzac Cove

By Chi Tranter

SYDNEY, April 15 AAP - Turkey's plan to build a 600m-long sea wall to protect Anzac
Cove at Gallipoli from erosion has been given Australian government backing.

The concrete and stone wall will be between 1.6 and 2.3m high, joining up two other
existing sea walls.

Veterans' Affairs Minister Alan Griffin says the famous headland scaled by the Anzacs
during World War I will disappear into the ocean if nothing is done to curb further erosion.

"Without this investment by Turkey, it is very likely that a location which is pivotal
to the history of our nation would be lost forever," he told reporters in Sydney on Thursday.

A combination of waves and torrential seasonal rain are the main cause of the erosion, he says.

The proposed works are also important for the preservation of battlefields and war graves.

Despite problems with maintaining the area in the past, including controversy over
roadworks at the cove, Mr Griffin is confident the project will be a success.

"Action was taken (in 2004) probably without some of the issues around construction
being properly addressed and evaluated," he said.

"What's occurred since, and the Turkish authorities need to be congratulated for this,
is significant amounts of work done on ensuring that we have the right engineering solution
(to maintain the cove with) minimal impact and maximum maintenance."

Unlike a 2004 design for the sea wall at the cove, this one will not cover the existing beach.

While it requires the top of the headland to be flattened slightly, the soil to be
removed was put there during roadworks well after the Anzac landing in 1915.

Mr Griffin is confident that the project will be completed in time for Anzac Day in 2011.

"We are very confident that the timetable outlined by the Turkish authorities with
respect to tendering and construction will ensure that this work is done in time (for
Anzac Day)," he said.

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KEYWORD: ANZAC COVE (PIX AVAILABLE)

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