The $1.5m initiative will undertake on ground works that will ensure the prevention of dune erosion, restoration of dune blowouts, protection, and the restoration of high ecological value dune woodlands.
Protecting & Investing In Our Dunes
The Bellarine and Great Ocean Road Dunecare Project comprises two programs:
- A Dunecare on-ground works program is guided by a strategic plan that prioritises coastal dune protection sites. It will protect and remediate fragile coastal dune systems that support native flora and fauna habitat working in partnership with coastal public land managers between St. Leonards and Marengo (near Apollo Bay).
- A Dunecare Stewardship program will target Year 9 and 10 students in Geelong, the Bellarine Peninsula and Surf Coast and build student and local community stewardship for local dune conservation and protection.
The Australian Government’s Bellarine and Great Ocean Road Dunecare Project is a $1.5M commitment to conserving coastal sand dune native flora and fauna habitat at risk of erosion or further erosion on coastal Crown Land between St Leonards and Marengo, Victoria.
This will include areas managed by organisations including Borough of Queenscliffe Council, Barwon Coast Committee of Management, City of Greater Geelong, Surf Coast Shire, Parks Victoria, Barwon Water and Great Ocean Road Coast and Parks Authority.
The project will invest in on-ground management of coastal dune flora and fauna habitat at risk of erosion to ensure that identified high priority sites are improved, protected, and conserved on the Bellarine and Great Ocean Road. It will also seek to safeguard significant Aboriginal middens and other cultural values identified by Traditional Owners.
The project will also work with secondary school students on the Bellarine and Surf Coast through a Dunecare Stewardship program to develop student and local community stewardship for local dune conservation and protection.
Engaging With & Empowering The Community
Collaboration with Coastal Crown Land Managers and the community is critical to ensuring the environmental outcomes of the Initiative are achieved. Part of the project is using cutting-edge social research partnered with smart modern communications to build community awareness on the need to protect our coastal sand dune environments. This will ensure the project is self-sustaining for many years to come past the initial investment.
The type of on-ground works to be funded through the Initiative may include:
- Prevention of dune erosion or further dune erosion facilitated by human access, through walking track improvement/rehabilitation, access management, improved protective fencing, and associated signage
- Restoration of dune ‘blowouts’ in primary and secondary dune systems through methods including brush matting and revegetation;
- Protection and restoration of high ecological value dune woodlands; and
- Protection of significant Aboriginal middens within prioritised project areas through actions including protective fencing, and associated signage.
- The Initiative will aim to provide partnerships for the involvement, engagement, training and employment of Wadawurrung Traditional Owners.
Key contacts for more information:
- Project Officer– Anthony Byrne Ph: 0407 885 143 Email: Anthony.Byrne@ccma.vic.gov.au
This project is support by the Corangamite CMA, through funding from the Australian Government’s Environment Restoration Fund. This project will run until 2023.