Boatsheds and Bathing Boxes

There are approximately 2000 boatsheds and bathing boxes in Victoria with approximately 1300 located on Port Phillip. The Mornington Peninsula Shire Council manages some 819 on Port Phillip and is the planning authority for more than 1300. The structures are part of the local history of some foreshores and, when appropriately sited and maintained, add to the landscape character of an area. The structures are mostly simple, free-standing, light weight, relocatable, non-commercial and non-residential used by private individuals and families primarily for storing beach equipment and boats, as change facilities and for shade and shelter. The difference between boatsheds and beach boxes is primarily based on scale, with boatsheds being used to store boats and generally larger in width and depth than beach boxes.

Boatsheds and bathing boxes are located on the peninsula’s foreshore from Mount Eliza to Portsea.  Some foreshores with boatsheds and bathing boxes are managed by volunteer committees of management including; Dromana, Capel Sound and White Cliffs - Camerons Bight

The annual boatshed and bathing box licence fee is based on the site area according to the Annexure A – the licensed ‘footprint’ for each boatshed/bathing box and this is approved by the Mornington Peninsula Shire Council in the 2024-2025 annual budget. The new fees for boatsheds and bathing boxes for 2024-2025, including the transfer fee on sale, are as follows:

  • Site area less than 5m2 - $855
  • Site area 5m2 and greater - $1,100
  • Transfer fee -  $3,830.00 or 6.5% of the Capital Improved Value (as per the rate notice) whichever is the greater amount

Council is reviewing the Boatshed and Bathing Box Policy 2000.  A first Draft Boatshed and Bathing Box Policy 2020 was on public exhibition from May to June and significant feedback was received and considered by Council at its meeting on 25 August 2020.  As a result Council has incorporated your feedback and updated the Draft Boatshed and Bathing Box Policy 2020. The update to the Policy will be considered by Council in 2024/25.

Changes implemented to the draft Boatshed and Bathing Box Policy 2020 after community feedback include: 
- Licensee eligibility 
- Connection of utility services 
- Graffiti removal 
- Asbestos management 
- Renewal of licence at end of term

Download: Boatshed & Bathing Boxes Policy(PDF, 481KB)

Download: Boatshed Box Transfer of Licence Form 2024-25(PDF, 302KB)

Download: Boatshed and Bathing Boxes Fact File(PDF, 254KB)

Download: DELWP Bathing Box Construction Guidelines 2015(PDF, 2MB)

Download: DELWP Guidelines for the management of existing bathing boxes and boatsheds 2022(PDF, 1MB)

Download: Bathing Box Heritage Stage 2(PDF, 3MB)

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