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 bathing boxes is primarily based on scale, with boatsheds being used to store boats and generally larger in width and depth than bathing 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 2025-2026 annual budget.
The fees for boatsheds and bathing boxes for 2025-2026, including the transfer fee, are as follows:

  • Annual licence fee - Site area less than 5m2 - $898
  • Annual licence fee - Site area 5m2 and greater - $1,155
  • Transfer of licence fee - $4,022.00 or 6.5% of the Capital Improved Value (as per the rate notice) whichever is the greater amount

Deceased Estate Transfers If you require the licence to be transferred as part of a deceased estate, please contact a Property Officer to discuss requirements on 5950 1740 or email property@mornpen.vic.gov.au

 

Download: Boatshed and Bathing Box Transfer of Licence Form 2025-2026(PDF, 82KB)

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

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)

 

Back to top