Coastal Management
What we are asking
he Mornington Peninsula Shire has 192km of coastline, of which Council manages 64km. We are experiencing climate impacts, including erosion and sea level rise and need adequate government funding to better manage our coastlines and build resilience.
To address these urgent challenges and ensure our community and visitors can continue to enjoy our beaches, walking and cycling paths, parks, playgrounds, buildings, piers, jetties, ramps and car parks, we seek:
- Ongoing investment to manage coastal erosion and support Victoria’s tourism economy.
- Planning scheme amendments that reflect up-to-date science and respond to immediate coastal hazards and longer-term adaptation options.
- A long-term solution for the restoration and erosion management of Portsea front beach, beyond the current temporary sandbags.
- Long term ongoing funding commitment provided by the Victorian Resilience Coast – Adapting to 2100+ program to manage coastal adaptation to address this challenge.
- An urgent Victorian government led, high profile community communications campaign that raises awareness that coastlines are changing, including coastal adaptation and the value in addressing coastal hazards.
What makes this unique
The Mornington Peninsula has 10 per cent of Victoria’s coastline and is a significant contributor to the tourism economy in Victoria.
Over the summer period more than 30 per cent of visitors choose our region, compared with any other region in Victoria.
High visitation and public use of our beaches puts pressure on the local coastline and there is strong community expectation for continued safe access to coastal assets.
Our natural environment and stunning coasts are the envy of the world and we host unique visitor experiences that contribute significantly to the Victorian tourism economy.
Our 29 coastal towns, beaches, marine environment and community amenities, including 12 public boat ramps and 25 public jetties, are key tourist attractions, drawing domestic and international visitors.
Surrounded by Port Phillip and Western Port bays, the Peninsula has important coastal reserves, including Point Nepean National Park, Mornington Peninsula National Park, and the Devilbend Natural Features Reserve, as well as Bittern Coastal Wetlands, and Warringine Park, which is recognised by several international treaties, notably the Ramsar agreement.
The awe-inspiring coastal panoramas and viewpoints to the sea are an important natural feature and make our municipality an iconic holiday destination.
The Mornington Peninsula is on the front line of a changing climate with a high proportion of our population, community infrastructure and public open spaces in coastal locations.
As the impacts of erosion and sea level rise increase, our coastal towns and infrastructure are proportionately affected, resulting in high management costs. We need to be ready for the significant impact of expected sea level rises, as well as intensifying storm surges and rainfall events, to limit damage to our coastal assets.
We recognise the support from the Victorian government’s Resilient Coast – Adapting for 2100+ program to develop a region wide coastal strategy, Our Coast Our Future.
This significant piece of work has further highlighted the demands that will be placed on our region in responding to immediate risk from coastal hazards. This is in addition to works that will be required to ensure our local community and visitors can safely access and enjoy our foreshores as we adapt to increasing coastal hazards, storm surges, inundation and erosion.
We need more ongoing support from the Victorian government, to manage immediate risks and plan for the future of our changing coasts.
The benefits – supporting evidence and strategies
In 2024, the Mornington Peninsula attracted approximately 8 million visitors who spent $1.8 billion locally. Compared to other Victorian regions outside Melbourne, our municipality ranked number one in domestic day trip visitors, two in spend by those visitors and third for international overnight visitors.
Recent landslips in McCrae, Mount Martha, Mornington, Mount Eliza and Flinders have significantly affected homes and caused road closures, cliff collapses and path closures.
As a key coastal stakeholder, we will continue to support the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA) with the implementation of the Marine and Coastal Policy and Strategy.
Flinders Community Association, Coastal Advisory Groups and Dromana Association Building Community and Business – as well as boating, fishing, and diving communities and the Association of Bayside Municipalities support Council’s advocacy.
Our advocacy aligns with priorities of the South East Councils Climate Change Alliance (SECCCA), advocating for sufficient levels of financial support for councils and communities to adapt to climate impacts.