The Andrews Labor Government is protecting and enhancing Victoria’s beautiful coastline – delivering healthier and more resilient marine and coastal environments.

Minister for Environment and Climate Action Lily D’Ambrosio today announced more than $27 million to ensure the state’s coastlines can adapt to the increasing pressures of climate change.

The future of the world-famous Great Ocean Road will also be secured through $10 million for land reforms, hazard assessments and erosion protection, ensuring this prime visitor destination can continue to be safe and accessible into the future.

We’re making sure more visitors can enjoy our coastal wetlands through a $1 million upgrade to enhance visitor facilities and improve links to existing parks and reserves at the newly established Yallock-Bulluk Marine and Coastal Park.

There is also $16.9 million to deliver our Marine and Coastal Strategy – building resilience in our marine and coastal areas. This includes $400,000 for the Cape to Cape Resilience Project to continue stage two of the project that will help to protect the coast from Cape Paterson to Cape Liptrap including Inverloch.

This includes $7.7 million of repairs and maintain of coastal assets including coastal protection works at Eastern View on the Great Ocean Road, repair works for the seawall at Lakes Entrance’s Bullock Island, address public safety risk at Loch Sport and maintenance of the Dutton Way and public safety risks at Portland Cliffs.

In line with our Marine Coastal Strategy this funding also includes $3.8 million dollars community resilience initiatives like supporting Traditional Owners in marine and coastal management, mapping blue carbon potential and building Victoria’s first marine spatial planning framework to balance the needs of different marine uses.

There is also $1 million for Coastcare Victoria and community stewardship activities, helping volunteers to respond to climate change and $1 million in Coastal Public Access and Risk grants program for land managers to address coastal protection issues.

This latest funding is from the 2022/23 Victorian Budget and builds on the more than $93 million the Labor Government has invested in protecting Victoria’s unique coastline since 2014.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Environment and Climate Action Lily D’Ambrosio

“Victoria’s coastline is facing significant climate challenges and that’s why we’re supporting this work to protect it while continuing to improve access to our spectacular coast.”

“Protecting our marine and coastal environments is not a quick fix, and we’re planning ahead to ensure the works we do now will last for generations to come.”

Quote attributable to Member for Bass Jordan Crugnale

“Bass Coast is home to some of Victoria’s most stunning coastlines and we’re making it more accessible for visitors and working to ensure it is safe for the community and protected from the impacts of climate change.”