Carting sand from the southern end of the beach to the north was supposed to happen before summer, but the job was then given a lower priority by the Department of Sustainability and Environment.

Each year, thousands of tonnes of sand is moved by the sea to and from the beach and it will be interesting to see if the 'imported' sand can resist what appears to be a natural annual erosion of Mt Martha Beach North.

Last November, Mornington MP David Morris accused the department of abandoning the $250,000 project.

"Despite promising almost 18 months ago that restoration works would begin by mid-2009 there was no guarantee from the minister that he intends to proceed with the works at all," Mr Morris said.

However, last month the DSE called for tenders from contractors willing to "mechanically recycle" a minimum 12,500 cubic metres of sand "from Mt Martha South Beach to Mt Martha North Beach".

The contractors will also have to spread the sand to a "defined beach profile". Despite the delay, sand returned to Mt Martha Beach North over summer, although high tides flow under the bathing boxes to the foot of collapsing cliffs. In winter, the sand is regularly scoured from the beach, revealing rocks and a clay base.

Trees are dying on the slope leading to the crumbling cliffs which loom precariously at the rear of bathing boxes.

While the loss of the vegetation may be improving sea views for Esplanade properties, it may also be contributing to stormwater run-off increasing erosion of the cliff.

Two access tracks from the Esplanade near Augusta and Alice streets remain closed, with signs warning of unstable cliffs.

The bitumen track closest to Alice Street ends abruptly at the cliff edge with no visible trace left of the steps which led to the beach.

A wall of treated pine posts and boards is a reminder of efforts by Mornington Peninsula Shire to hold back the seemingly unstoppable march of the cliffs towards the sea.

Concrete poured to hold wooden steps in place are all that remain at the end of the Augusta Street track. A knotted rope has been tied in place to help walkers access the remaining steps.