Have Your Say: Draft Coastal and Marine Management Plan

Have Your Say: Coastal and Marine Management Plan Consultation

Whitecliffs Foreshore Reserve is developing a new Coastal & Marine Management Plan (CMMP) and Camping Masterplan (CM). We need your input to help protect our unique coastline, enhance the facilities and services and ensure the plans reflect the needs and aspirations of our diverse community and deliver in our vision of:

‘ A resilient coastal reserve that values natural and cultural heritage, strengthens land-sea connections and inspires stewardship through meaningful outdoor experiences to create a lasting legacy for future generations’.

The CMMP is a strategic framework for managing marine and coastal Crown Land, balancing recreation, environmental protection, cultural heritage, and long-term sustainability. The update addresses eight focus areas: camping, environment, visitation, cultural heritage, water-based recreation, climate resilience, commercial operations  and community engagement.

Following comprehensive community engagement undertaken in early 2025, the Draft Coastal and Marine Management Plan (CMMP) 2025-2030 and Camping Masterplan are now complete and ready for community feedback.

The draft plans have been developed based on:

• Community feedback received during the initial engagement phase

• A comprehensive Issues, Risks and Opportunities analysis

• Review of the 2019-2024 CMMP implementation

• Consultation with key stakeholders including BLCAC, Parks Victoria, Mornington Peninsula Shire, and Blairgowrie Yacht Squadron

What's in the Draft Plans?

The Draft CMMP sets out priorities and actions across key areas including:

• Climate change adaptation - Planning for sea level rise and upgrading infrastructure

• Cultural heritage - Strengthening partnerships with the Bunurong Land Council Aboriginal Corporation

• Beach and coastal management - Erosion control and beach renourishment

• Camping improvements - Masterplan for all three camping areas addressing safety, amenities, and environmental compliance

• Access and facilities - Path improvements, signage, parking, and toilet upgrades

• Water-based recreation - Boat storage and beach access for kayaking, paddleboarding, and boating

• Vegetation and habitat protection - Managing and enhancing native coastal environments

• Community engagement - Programs and events that connect people with the foreshore

Are you interested in dog-walking?

• The draft CMMP and Camping Masterplans propose no changes to dog controls.

• The Committee recognises the high level of community interest in dog controls across the reserve and resolved to undertake a separate review to ensure comprehensive stakeholder engagement can be facilitated.

• This has been captured in draft CMMP Action 7.3.1: “Undertake comprehensive dog control review and community engagement to address risk, policy alignment, and stakeholder needs”.

• The current off-leash controls for the one kilometre section at Camerons Bight remain unchanged.

• Pending ministerial endorsement of the plan, the review may take place in late 2026. This will be advised to all stakeholders and widely advertised.