He spent $500,000 trying to stop the sea—now he’s in hot water with the council
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He spent half a million dollars trying to protect his dream home from crumbling into the sea.
Now the council wants it torn down—and the public backlash is growing louder by the day.
Is it environmental damage… or just a man trying to save what’s his?
Gene Neill thought he was doing the right thing when he built a concrete seawall in front of his new Frankston property.
Worried about coastal erosion steadily eating away at the shoreline, he paid for the structure himself—without asking the council or neighbours for a cent.
‘We thought we were doing the right thing,’ Gene shared.
The homeowner said he believed the wall aligned with others nearby and was surprised when authorities took issue.
‘We didn’t see an issue in it at all. We thought we’re spending the money ourselves, we haven’t asked anyone to pay for it. We just went ahead and did it.’
Gene purchased the beachfront property last year and claimed he had little choice but to act swiftly to protect it.
‘Everyone that lives on the beach is concerned about it. There’s something that has to be done,’ he explained, adding that his neighbours were ‘very supportive’.
However, not everyone agreed with his approach—especially once it was revealed the wall sat on public land.
He admitted that he did not apply for a permit and was unaware the structure crossed into public territory until the build was already underway.
Now, local MP Paul Edbrooke is calling for the wall’s removal.
‘Build it on your own land, don’t build it on our community’s beach,’ Edbrooke said.
‘I think there’s another story to this, though, and it’s about entitlement. It’s about the fact that if you’ve got deep enough pockets, you think you can do anything.’
Source: TikTok/acurrentaffair9
Some critics have accused Gene of using the wall to extend his property and improve his view—something he strongly denied.
‘Our view here is unbelievable, we don’t need a better view,’ he said.
Frankston City Council released a statement defending its position, citing risks to the environment and potential erosion caused by unauthorised construction.
‘Council has been working closely with the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA) to clarify the most appropriate path forward, and we continue to have constructive conversations until a suitable outcome can be reached,’ said interim CEO Cam Arullanantham.
The council emphasised its ‘strong stance against illegal works and environmental damage on public and private land’.
‘Unauthorised works on coastal land can cause significant, and sometimes irreversible harm, to fragile ecosystems.’
But Gene remained defiant, even as a possible court battle loomed.
‘The last thing I’ll be doing is pulling the wall down,’ he said.
It’s not just one homeowner facing tough battles over coastal defences—entire communities are feeling the pressure too.
In another case, locals were forced to act quickly as erosion threatened to swallow their beloved beach town.
Here’s how they responded when told they might have to leave their homes behind.
Read more: Is Your Favourite Aussie Beach Town About to Disappear Forever? See the Shocking Date Locals Have to Leave
When it comes to protecting your property, how far is too far?
Now the council wants it torn down—and the public backlash is growing louder by the day.
Is it environmental damage… or just a man trying to save what’s his?
Gene Neill thought he was doing the right thing when he built a concrete seawall in front of his new Frankston property.
Worried about coastal erosion steadily eating away at the shoreline, he paid for the structure himself—without asking the council or neighbours for a cent.
‘We thought we were doing the right thing,’ Gene shared.
Homeowner defends $500k seawall decision. Image source: TikTok/A Current Affair
The homeowner said he believed the wall aligned with others nearby and was surprised when authorities took issue.
‘We didn’t see an issue in it at all. We thought we’re spending the money ourselves, we haven’t asked anyone to pay for it. We just went ahead and did it.’
Gene purchased the beachfront property last year and claimed he had little choice but to act swiftly to protect it.
‘Everyone that lives on the beach is concerned about it. There’s something that has to be done,’ he explained, adding that his neighbours were ‘very supportive’.
However, not everyone agreed with his approach—especially once it was revealed the wall sat on public land.
He admitted that he did not apply for a permit and was unaware the structure crossed into public territory until the build was already underway.
Now, local MP Paul Edbrooke is calling for the wall’s removal.
‘Build it on your own land, don’t build it on our community’s beach,’ Edbrooke said.
‘I think there’s another story to this, though, and it’s about entitlement. It’s about the fact that if you’ve got deep enough pockets, you think you can do anything.’
Source: TikTok/acurrentaffair9
Some critics have accused Gene of using the wall to extend his property and improve his view—something he strongly denied.
‘Our view here is unbelievable, we don’t need a better view,’ he said.
Frankston City Council released a statement defending its position, citing risks to the environment and potential erosion caused by unauthorised construction.
‘Council has been working closely with the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA) to clarify the most appropriate path forward, and we continue to have constructive conversations until a suitable outcome can be reached,’ said interim CEO Cam Arullanantham.
The council emphasised its ‘strong stance against illegal works and environmental damage on public and private land’.
‘Unauthorised works on coastal land can cause significant, and sometimes irreversible harm, to fragile ecosystems.’
But Gene remained defiant, even as a possible court battle loomed.
‘The last thing I’ll be doing is pulling the wall down,’ he said.
It’s not just one homeowner facing tough battles over coastal defences—entire communities are feeling the pressure too.
In another case, locals were forced to act quickly as erosion threatened to swallow their beloved beach town.
Here’s how they responded when told they might have to leave their homes behind.
Read more: Is Your Favourite Aussie Beach Town About to Disappear Forever? See the Shocking Date Locals Have to Leave
When it comes to protecting your property, how far is too far?
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