The Allan Labor Government is giving community groups a funding boost so that Port Phillip Bay’s marine and coastal environment remains protected.

Member for Bellarine Alison Marchant today announced the local recipients for this year’s Port Phillip Bay Fund.

Grants of up to $300,000 were available for innovative, large-scale projects, while smaller projects received up to $25,000 to directly benefit the coastal and marine environments of the bay.

Successful recipients in the Bellarine include:

• Corangamite Catchment Management Authority were successful in receiving funding of $179,818 for their Swan Bay Saltmarsh Restoration Project. This project aims to protect and restore one of the most productive and biodiverse ecosystems, the intertidal saltmarsh surrounding Swan Bay in partnership with Bellarine Landcare Group and private landowners.
• Bellarine Bayside Foreshore Committee of Management were successful in receiving funding of $143,476 for their North Bellarine Coast Cultural Conservation and Restoration Project.
• Bellarine North Rotary Club were successful in receiving funding of $2,000 for their Foreshore Revegetation Project.
• The Borough of Queenscliffe were successful in receiving $25,000 for their Community Education and Protection of Coastal Moonah Woodlands Project.

Port Phillip Bay is home to over 10,000 species of marine life, making it one of Victoria’s most important ecosystems. It also remains a major tourist destination supporting recreational activities such as swimming, fishing and snorkelling.

Since 2016, the Port Phillip Bay Fund has provided more than $13.9 million in grants across 187 projects which includes reef restoration, marine life monitoring, water quality improvements and litter control. 

The Fund is in line with the Labor Government’s Port Phillip Bay Environmental Management Plan 2027 which aims to keep the bay’s biodiversity healthy and resilient over the coming decade.   

For more information on the strategy, please visit marineandcoasts.vic.gov.au/marine-and-coastal-knowledge/port-phillip-bay.

Quotes attributable to Member for Bellarine Alison Marchant

“Victoria is fortunate to have so many dedicated volunteers, environmental, community and not-for-profit groups and organisations that are working hard to preserve our marine and coastal environments.”

Quotes attributable to Corinne Mays Corangamite Catchment Management

“Conserving the saltmarshes of Swan Bay is important to maintaining shorelines, protecting communities, keeping marine ecosystems healthy, and helping coastal economies thrive. We are thrilled to be able to work with landowners and communities around Swan Bay to deliver positive environmental, social and economic benefits for the Bay.”