delwp.vic.gov.au

Issue 03 June 2020

Welcome to the third issue of the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning’s (DELWP’s) quarterly marine and coasts newsletter, including Coastcare Victoria’s Coastline. In this issue… • Access to the coast during coronavirus (COVID-19)

• Protecting Victoria’s unique coastline

• Coastal protection projects

• Marine and coastal knowledge

• Review of Boating Coastal Action Plans and Recreational Facilities Framework

• Future Foreshores project

• Coastcare - Coastline

Please email marine.coasts@delwp.vic.gov.au to subscribe or unsubscribe to this newsletter and for more information.

Access to the coast during coronavirus (COVID-19) A State of Emergency has been declared in Victoria due to the serious risk to public health posed by coronavirus (COVID-19).

This has implications for how we are using our coastal reserves and beaches.

Please refer to the Department of Health and Human Services and DELWP websites for the latest restrictions and health advice from the Chief Health Officer.

dhhs.vic.gov.au/coronavirus

delwp.vic.gov.au/coronaviruspubliclanduse.

Protecting Victoria’s unique coastline Our coastal areas are set to receive $11.04 million in funding as part of DELWP’s $129 million share of the Victorian Government’s $2.7 billion Building Works stimulus package.

The funding will support projects to:

• implement Victoria’s first marine spatial planning framework, including a statewide assessment to determine marine planning areas and priorities and the preparation of marine spatial planning guidelines

• work with coastal managers to build community resilience and prepare a Victorian Coastal Adaptation Framework

DELWP marine and coasts newsletter

2

• work with Traditional Owners to develop marine and coastal programs including sea and country plans, two-way capacity and capability building, and restoration of marine and coastal cultural knowledge and practice

• develop a Marine and Coastal Knowledge Framework to consolidate the state’s data holdings and make it accessible to the community through the internet

• implement the Port Phillip Bay Environmental Management Plan through the preparation of an annual report and Monitoring, Evaluation, Reporting and Improvement (MERI) strategy.

There is also funding for new coastal protection assets and replacement of dilapidated seawalls including:

• the design and construction of new coastal protection structures in and around Apollo Bay

• replacement of seawalls at Lakes Entrance and Mallacoota as well as natural coastal protection works at Jam Jerrup

• a round of Coastal Public Access and Risk grants with $500,000 available to coastal land managers to address access and risk and

• an assessment of the condition of 1,700 coastal protection assets, including seawalls, revetments and groynes across Victoria to inform prioritisation of capital works.

Coastal protection projects Ocean Grove Main Beach access ramp and rock revetment

Ocean Grove Main Beach access ramp.

The new access ramp and rock revetment at Ocean Grove Main Beach is now open to the public.

This project involved a complete replacement of the old access ramp and construction of a new 76 metre rock revetment directly adjacent to the ramp. Together these works will help ensure protection of the foreshore and

surrounding assets within the Ocean Grove Main Beach precinct.

The final terracing and landscaping stage of this project will commence later this year.

New rock revetment at Ocean Grove Main Beach.

Point Lonsdale upgrades DELWP has worked with the Borough of Queenscliffe to undertake emergency repair works on the seawall and rock revetment at Point Lonsdale.

These structures have sustained significant damage over recent years through regular exposure to high tides and large waves.

Over a four-week period, sections of the bluestone seawall were repaired and rebuilt, and the surface of the main access ramp at the front beach was replaced.

The ramp was re-opened in April this year and will continue to provide benefits to the community for many years to come.

New ramp at Pont Lonsdale.

Bellarine beach renourishments The Bellarine Peninsula beaches of Taylor Reserve, Wrathall Reserve, St Leonards North and St Leonards were ranked amongst the top priorities for renourishment works across Port Phillip Bay and have been selected for renourishment in 2020-21.

3

The community is invited to have its say on these renourishments – you can take the survey now via marineandcoasts.vic.gov.au/beachrenourishment. The survey closes at midnight on Thursday 25 June 2020.

Lakes Entrance seawall replacement – stage two Construction works to replace a section of the old bluestone seawall to the west of the Cunninghame Arm footbridge at Lakes Entrance are progressing well. The new seawall will feature concrete panels and a boardwalk.

Tie-back installation is complete for the first stage and stormwater drains have been upgraded. Crews are starting to prepare the form work for the capping. The concrete path will be laid when the capping is complete.

Check out stage one of this project at marineandcoasts.vic.gov.au/coastal-programs/gippsland-projects.

Lakes Entrance seawall construction 18 May 2020, looking west.

Inverloch sand-filled geotextile container wall Installation of a geotextile sandbag wall to protect the Inverloch Surf Life Saving Club from erosion is complete.

The wall, which comprises around 260 sandbags weighing four tonnes each over six rows, took 14 weeks to complete.

To reduce the likelihood of water overtopping the structure, an additional row of bags was installed on top, taking the final crest height to 3.8 metres Australian Height Datum (AHD).

The structure is intended as a short-term solution until a further Local Coastal Hazard Assessment (LCHA) can be undertaken as part of the Regional and Strategic Partnership (RaSP) project.

More information about this project can be found at marineandcoasts.vic.gov.au/coastal-programs/gippsland-projects.

Inverloch sandbag seawall, 13 May 2020.

Portsea sandbag seawall DELWP has been undertaking major repairs to the sandbag seawall at Portsea front beach.

Portsea sandbag seawall progress looking west towards the pier.

Approximately 125 metres of the 150 metre long sandbag seawall’s repairs are complete.

Toe rocks are now being placed starting at the eastern end and the bund progressively removed as the contractor works back towards the pier.

4

Marine and coastal knowledge Statewide Coastal Assets Management System (CAMS) The Coastal Assets Management System (CAMS) is DELWP’s primary resource for information on Victoria’s coastal protection infrastructure, including seawalls, revetments, groynes and breakwaters.

New assets are being added to CAMS on an ongoing basis. Usually a new record is for recent works however a recent CAMS entry featured a much older structure.

Erosion along the Bass Coast recently uncovered historical coastal fortifications adjacent to the former railway line at Kilcunda.

The original railway station at Kilcunda was built on top of the primary sand dune, some 1.6 kilometres east of town. The station was on the Powlett River Railway (Wonthaggi Line), which was completed very rapidly in 1909-1910 to exploit the black coal around Wonthaggi after the NSW coal strike.

The Kilcunda railway station was hampered by poor road access, rust from the sea air, and the relentless action of the ocean affecting the stability of the dune.

On 25 April 1924, The Argus reported ‘A landslide about two chains long occurred on the railway line near Kilcunda railway station at 10 o'clock yesterday morning’.

By 1929, the station appears to have been moved to its new location, but the problems of the ocean persisted.

On 17 September 1929, The Argus reported ‘…WONTHAGGI, Monday. - Some years ago, the Railways department removed the Kilcunda railway station to a fresh site as the sea was encroaching rapidly through the sandbanks close to the station. Now it has been found necessary to take measures to protect the railway line close to the old site, and a wall is being erected with concrete foundation and a broken metal top. It is stated that the work will cost about £3,000’.

For ninety years this protective wall remained largely buried under accreted sand and vegetation until major storms earlier this year uncovered much of the structure. Extending over 350 metres, it is a combination of cement filled sandbags, sheet concrete and railway blue metal.

Inspecting ninety year old foundations at Kilcunda.

Recent inspections recorded in CAMS show the movement of large slabs of concrete, giving way to expose foundation material beneath. Even remnants of an old chimney, a possible relic of the former caretaker’s cottage were short-lived on this high energy beach.

Remnants of a chimney near the old railway line at Kilcunda.

Victorian Coastal Monitoring Program (VCMP) Annual Scientific Advisory Workshop The VCMP involves monitoring of wave climate, sediment movement and sediment budgets in priority coastal compartments of Victoria’s open coastline, Western Port and Port Phillip Bay.

The VCMP Annual Scientific Advisory Workshop was held in March 2020 to inform experts and interested stakeholders on progress since the field programs commenced in March 2018.

The following themes for action were developed from the Expert Advisory Group review:

5

Mainstream the communication of results and outcomes

Discussion at the workshop highlighted that the complex data sets, analyses and models used in the VCMP can be hard to communicate to non-technical audiences.

Following the workshop, a digital communication and reporting project was scoped, which will adopt Esri Story Maps and develop a series of interactive digital communication products, infographics and regional report cards.

Look out for the first Story Map later this year.

Emphasise the importance of extreme events

It was highlighted that capturing information on the response of coastal processes to extreme events was key to understanding the resilience of the coast and how changes in extreme events may influence future scenarios.

It was recommended the models presented at the workshop be optimised to predict possible scenarios under futures with different extremes in storm surge, wave energies and shifts in wave directions. Capturing real time data on responses observed following extreme events will assist in the refining the models as necessary.

Visit the VCMP webpage marineandcoasts.vic.gov.au/coastal-programs/victorian-coastal-monitoring-program for more information.

LitterWatch Victoria There are many dedicated community groups and organisations putting in countless hours to undertake litter audits, clean up litter and engage with community and businesses to reduce litter pollution.

The data collected from these audits provides valuable information and trends. LitterWatch Victoria brings this data together in a publicly accessible format.

LitterWatch is an online system for managing the litter data, viewing different datasets, and providing reporting tools for comparing litter data from different locations and time periods.

LitterWatch is currently in a live testing phase with key stakeholders testing and providing feedback to improve the system before it goes public in the next few months.

LitterWatch Victoria website – coming soon!

Planned face-to-face workshops and training have been put on hold due to COVID-19 restrictions. Instead, online training is being held for the ‘early adopters’. The team is sourcing historic sets and background information to assist in understanding the data.

If you’re interested in being an ‘early adopter’ or have data to enter in the system please get in touch by emailing litterwatch.victoria@delwp.vic.gov.au.

When it is public the webpage can be found here: litterwatchvictoria.org.au.

Port Phillip Bay Environmental Management Plan Annual Report The Port Phillip Bay Environmental Management Plan 2017-2027 (EMP) represents the Victorian Government’s ongoing commitment to ensuring that Port Phillip Bay remains healthy and resilient over the coming decade.

Program leads, including state and local government, began work on priority actions to deliver the EMP in late 2017.

The first annual report covers the implementation of the EMP from late 2017 through to the end of the 2018-2019 financial year and provides progress updates for over 100 activities being delivered by government, industry and community program leads.

For more information on the EMP and the Annual Report, please visit marineandcoasts.vic.gov.au/coastal-programs/port-phillip-bay.

6

Review of Boating Coastal Action Plans and Recreational Facilities Framework DELWP recently undertook a review of the Gippsland and Western Boating Coastal Action Plans (BCAPs) and the Recreational Boating Facilities Framework (RBFF). The review was undertaken to determine their effectiveness and implementation status subsequent to the closure of the three regional coastal boards.

The review has been completed and the final report is now available at marineandcoasts.vic.gov.au/coastal-management/information-for-coastal-managers.

In summary the review found overwhelming support for the BCAPs and RBFF and that their vision and strategic directions continue to be relevant and provide a sound basis to support decision making and strategic planning for recreational boating in Victoria.

The review has been provided to Better Boating Victoria to help inform the delivery of the Victorian Government's commitment to maintain and upgrade boating infrastructure and strategically plan for recreational boating in Victoria.

Future Foreshores project DELWP is undertaking the four-year Future Foreshores project to explore options to simplify management of coastal Crown Land Reserves (CLRs).

The project aims to improve the way coastal CLRs are managed and create long-term planning and financial stability.

Historically, many coastal reserves have been managed by volunteer committees of management (CoM), local government and state government agencies such as Parks Victoria.

DELWP recognises that the management of coastal CLRs is increasingly difficult due to complex environmental issues such as climate change as well as population growth, ageing infrastructure and changing community attitudes.

DELWP is proposing new management arrangements to establish well-resourced land managers that are efficient and sustainable and have the expertise to respond to future challenges. Future Foreshores is a pilot project, initially looking at three coastal regions:

1. Western Port in Mornington Peninsula Shire

2. Port Phillip in Mornington Peninsula Shire

3. Western Port in City of Casey.

Future Foreshores Project – three regions (coastal compartments).

Current State Analysis and Draft Management Options

In September 2019, DELWP commissioned Grosvenor Performance Group to review the activities of the CoMs within the three pilot regions. The resulting Current State Analysis presents the region’s accountabilities and responsibilities, alongside their capacity, skills and resourcing.

It provides DELWP with the information needed to support CLR’s to co-design financially sustainable and efficient management models for the reserves going forward. The information in the Current State Analysis provides the detailed evidence that informed the options presented in the Future Foreshores Options Paper. These have been prepared by Grosvenor and are presented in the Draft Options Paper.

During June 2020, DELWP will be inviting feedback on the draft management options for each of the regions. The feedback received will assist DELWP to refine the options for the region.

In August 2020, DELWP will present the findings from the engagement and seek additional feedback from stakeholders to refine the options and determine the most suitable approach for each of the regions.

To find out more, access a copy of the Current State Analysis and Draft Options Paper please contact the project team by phone or email:

Region 1: Western Port, Mornington Peninsula Shire, 03 9021 0672, westernportmornington@capire.com.au

Region 2: Port Phillip Bay, Mornington Peninsula Shire, 03 9021 0675, portphillipmornington@capire.com.au

7

Region 3: Western Port, City of Casey, 03 9021 0690, westernportcasey@capire.com.au.

Foreshore infrastructure workshops Foreshore infrastructure workshops were held online during April and May with volunteer Committees of Management (CoMs) and land managers.

The Coastal Erosion and Asset Management workshop held in April provided an opportunity to discuss coastal erosion and sustainable infrastructure management on our foreshore reserves.

Many participants from the Future Foreshores project area representing nine volunteer CoMs, Bunurong Land Council Aboriginal Corporation (BLCAC), Parks Victoria and Mornington Peninsula and Casey councils enjoyed an acknowledgement of country given by Bunurong elder Uncle Shane Clark.

Bradley Ward, Senior Heritage Advisor of BLCAC, discussed coastal erosion on Bunurong country and shared his archaeological knowledge with volunteers and the importance of protecting Aboriginal cultural heritage areas and significant sites.

Raising awareness and understanding to protect significant Aboriginal sites. Bradley Ward, Senior Heritage Advisor, Bunurong Land Council Aboriginal Corporation.

DELWP staff provided an update on priorities for asset management under the Asset Management Accountability Framework and the new Marine and Coastal Policy, with a focus on the partnership approach to managing our foreshore infrastructure.

The Building Land Manager Capability in Asset Management workshop held in May included participants from the Association of Bayside Municipalities member councils from Bayside, Frankston, Geelong, Hobsons Bay, Kingston, Melbourne City, Mornington Peninsula, Port Phillip, Queenscliffe and Wyndham, as well as Casey and Cardinia councils.

During both sessions, insights were shared on the importance of managing and adapting foreshore assets strategically due to the risks of climate change and coastal hazards, the role of built and natural infrastructure, and legislative obligations when assessing works on foreshores.

The workshops also enabled RMIT students working with DELWP’s project officer Sandra McCormick on foreshore infrastructure mapping to be introduced to CoMs in the Port Phillip region.

DELWP’s capability building workshops support inductions and training for our foreshore committees and land managers across Port Phillip and Westernport.

Practical sessions will be held with land managers in the Future Foreshores pilot area later in the year.

For further information contact Sandra McCormick sandra.mccormick@delwp.vic.gov.au.

Keep reading for Coastcare’s Coastline!

8

National Volunteer Week 2020 Happy National Volunteer Week to Victoria’s marine and coastal volunteers!

The Coastcare Victoria team thanks the amazing volunteers across Victoria who change lives and communities through the work they do.

Coastcare Victoria Coordinator Bec Cross said ‘We’re privileged to support our coastal volunteers to protect and enhance Victoria’s 2,000 kilometres of coastline and love working with you.’

The Coastcare Victoria team putting their hands up to wave their appreciation for marine and coastal volunteers.

The theme of National Volunteer Week 2020 (18-24 May) was ‘Changing Communities, Changing Lives’. The Coastcare Victoria community has shared some of their stories in this issue of Coastline to help celebrate.

Volunteering is a great way to meet new people and get involved in your community. To find out how you can get involved and for more inspiring volunteer stories, visit environment.vic.gov.au/volunteering, or chat to your local Coastcare Victoria facilitator.

Celebrating National Volunteer Week with Victorian marine and coastal volunteer stories Ocean Grove Coastcare Ocean Grove Coastcare is celebrating their tenth anniversary this year!

Ocean Grove Coastcare volunteers.

Ocean Grove Coastcare was started by a small group of enthusiastic women, keen to see the precious coastal environment of the town protected and enhanced. They organised a winter film night to bring the community together and explore interest in the creation of a coastal-focused volunteer environmental group. The community response was overwhelmingly positive and Ocean Grove Coastcare became an incorporated group in December 2010.

The group has undertaken extensive on ground works in the foreshore, dune and estuary areas of Ocean Grove through weeding, revegetation and litter collection.

They do loads of fun activities like film and social nights, planting native plants, removing weeds, picking up litter and organising community education events. There’s always something for everyone to get involved in and are always looking to expand their group of volunteers.

9

Ocean Grove Coastcare are looking forward to another ten years (and beyond) of looking after their patch of coast and engaging with their local community. Coastcare Victoria looks forward to continuing to support Ocean Grove Coastcare to achieve their goal of a healthy and vibrant coast.

For more information, visit oceangrovecoastcare.org.au/

Bellarine Catchment Network The picturesque Bellarine Peninsula south-west of Melbourne is the home of Bellarine Catchment Network (BCN), a group made up of 30 representatives from catchment and coastal organisations.

Matt Crawley, BCN Program Manager, understands the importance of bringing together complementary organisations to integrate their work to protect and manage the local environment.

‘The network has been around for 23 years and over that time non-government organisations, community volunteer groups, and different land managers such as councils, foreshore committees and committees of management have worked together through BCN,’ he said.

Their common purpose is to ‘deliver more environmental outcomes and more community education,’ he explained. ‘This integrated model benefits the environment and the communities on the Bellarine Peninsula.’

Bellarine Catchment Network volunteers

With the help of a Community Skills Development Grant, BCN organised an activity and training day for its members in October last year.

Delivered by the Marine and Freshwater Discovery Centre (MFDC), the main purpose of the day was to

‘train the trainer.’ Participants learnt how to engage and educate their own student or community groups.

Attendees visited a rocky shore where they learnt about marine interpretation, animal and plant identification, geology, history and cultural heritage.

A mudflat meander followed. They also looked at the ecosystems that make up the substrate of Swan Bay. The day concluded with a tour of the MFDC in Queenscliff.

‘We saw an opportunity to share our skills with the different people who deliver education at schools, community groups, and festivals and events during the summer,’ Matt said.

Collectively, staff and volunteers from BCN member groups speak to thousands of people each year.

‘We wanted to give everyone more skills in their toolbox and therefore give the community more understanding and appreciation, which leads to better protection of the environment,’ he added.

Sixteen community groups, organisations, land managers and councils were represented on the day and many of the 20 participants were from environmental volunteer groups.

Training at Swan Bay

‘We participate in school education days and we appreciate getting our volunteers - most of whom have no professional background in the environment, marine or otherwise - to attend training like this,’ said Margot Busch from Ocean Grove Coastcare.

‘It boosts their confidence in delivering education sessions,’ she added.

‘The training made me more aware of some of the threats to the marine environment,’ said Mel Rogers,

10

Chair of Bellarine Bayside and member of Friends of Edwards Point. ‘It is so much better to actually see things in their natural habitat and have someone knowledgeable explain it.’

Matt said the volunteer groups who attended the training day ‘have used the knowledge they gained to better deliver messages around coastal stewardship - how you can appreciate it and have a positive effect on the environment rather than a negative impact.’

To find out more visit Bellarine Catchment Network.

South Gippsland Conservation Society Inc. Founded in 1976, South Gippsland Conservation Society Inc. is a not-for-profit organisation that aims to promote and preserve South Gippsland's natural resources and to encourage education around the importance of conservation and stewardship.

The Society runs the Bunurong Environment Centre in Inverloch which houses the shell museum (owned by the Bass Coast Shire), a shop and an education centre which provides an ideal learning experience for students at all levels.

South Gippsland Conservation Society members.

They support local groups including Plastic Free Bass Coast, Friends of Stockyard Creek in Foster and an on-ground project for the Friends of Harmers Haven group.

The Society hold regular excursions, workshops, and speaker nights, with activities that enhance the community's knowledge of the local environment. New members are always welcome. Find out more at sgcs.org.au.

Warrnambool Coastcare Landcare Network The Warrnambool City Landcare Group was formed in 1995 after about 40 people attended a public forum for the protection of the Merri River.

The group was instrumental in enhancing Warrnambool’s coastal environment. After a busy few years, some members moved on and those remaining suffered from volunteer burnout. The group slowly became inactive.

In 2002, there was a push to rejuvenate the group and in 2005 the Warrnambool City Landcare Group Inc. changed its name to Warrnambool Coastcare Landcare Group Inc.

The group has continued to grow in stature and draw respect from government agencies and community and has won numerous awards. Today the group is still very active and has a wonderful mix of volunteers from all walks of life.

Every year, they engage hundreds of volunteers in activities that help improve and protect Warrnambool’s natural environment. They were instrumental in the effort to save the Middle Island penguins, preventing illegal pollution discharges into the Merri River, and transforming Lady Bay foreshore from an area full of introduced weeds into a home for wallabies, echidnas and many native birds. Their vision is for people in Warrnambool and district enjoy and support a beautiful, healthy and diverse natural environment.

The Group is always ready to welcome new members and encourage their opinion and skills to enable the building of a balanced biodiverse environment in Warrnambool and district. Visit warrnamboolcoastcarelandcare.org.au for more information.

Warrnambool Coastcare Landcare Network works with Maremma dogs to protect Middle Island penguins

Rhyll Coast Action – Phillip Island Twenty-two years ago, members of the Rhyll community who were concerned about the degradation of the coastline took action that led to the establishment of Rhyll Coast Action Group (RCA). Together with Phillip Island Nature Park and others, they planned the rejuvenation of their coastline.

11

Since then, their work has transformed the previously degraded coastline by clearing away large amounts of gorse and other weeds and revegetating the area with indigenous flora. They have a wealth of experience and knowledge in sourcing and propagating seed and plant identification. Their dedication and commitment make for a strong movement with original members still active and present at most working bees.

The difference Rhyll Coast Action volunteers make.

They would love some new members to continue the group's vital work of conserving and enhancing the coastline environment and welcome non-members to join in with working bees. Please email rhyllcoastaction@gmail.com for more information.

Lake Tyers Coast Action Inc. Lake Tyers Coast Action Inc. (LTCA) is a community group established in 1996 to help protect and preserve the unique East Gippsland environment. Their focus is on creating and supporting local projects that will broaden knowledge and understanding of the local biodiversity and ecosystems. They aim to highlight the interconnectedness of nature and study how negative impacts affect the health of the entire system.

The group engage the community in weeding and planting activities and in monitoring environmental indicators. They contribute to a body of data that can be used to educate locals and tourists and over time inform management decisions and practices.

Their current project, Lake Tyers Biodiversity Study 2020, is funded by Landcare and is a follow up on a previous study that confirmed the presence of the threatened Long Nose Potoroo. They are hoping to find evidence that this population is still present and viable as well as the presence of other key species. This data will help establish how the drought and other environmental stressors have impacted the habitat.

You can follow this project on the Lake Tyers Coast Action Facebook page and Instagram @laketyersanimalsightings (#LTBspotto).

Exciting projects for the future include the Bung Yarnda Project: Aquatic monitoring of Lake Tyers, in partnership with Federation Uni and involvement in The Slipway Environmental Hub in partnership with FLOAT Inc. and other groups.

A busy Lake Tyers Coast Action working bee.

This is a friendly and inclusive group that is open to anyone. Email them at LakeTyersCoastAction@gmail.com to get involved!

Friends of Beware Reef Off the coast of Cape Conran in East Gippsland lies Beware Reef Marine Sanctuary, a 220 hectare wonderland of marine life and habitat.

Until recently, volunteers from the Friends of Beware Reef environmental group could often be found diving in the sanctuary, conducting underwater surveys of marine life.

‘We usually aim to dive on a weekly basis, but this has been made quite challenging in 2020 due to the bushfires, as well as coronavirus,’ said Don Love, President of Friends of Beware Reef.

Bushfires over the summer also prevented the group from attending Summer by the Sea, where they have been sharing their unique underwater experiences with locals and visitors for over a decade.

Formed by a group of passionate divers over 15 years ago, this group of 10 active members has built a reputation as a reliable and prolific contributor to the environmental and scientific community.

12

The group works closely with Parks Victoria, the land manager of the marine sanctuary. They have also freely shared scientific knowledge with Coastcare Victoria, Museum Victoria, and the University of Tasmania through their Reef Life Survey program.

Volunteer members, Friends of Beware Reef

A Coastcare Victoria grant the group received last year has been used to buy a new waterproof camera. It has improved the quality of their photographs and videos which are used to identify species and shared with research institutions.

‘We are lucky to have a member that can put videos together with ease. It is amazing what macro photography can highlight – especially with the marine invertebrates,’ said Don.

Green Moray Eel - Gymnothorax prasinus at Beware Reef.

The group has been heavily involved in eradicating invasive species in Beware Reef and Gippsland Lakes. In the past year they successfully removed 13 Northern Pacific seastars (Asterias amurensis) from the Gippsland Lakes.

They were also part of a trial with Parks Victoria to reduce Long-spined sea urchins (Centrostephanus rodgersii), that wreaked havoc on the reef. ‘We found that it took at least two years for the larger kelp species to return to the damaged reef areas,’ explained Don.

Not all their work is underwater however – community education is a key facet of their activities.

‘Our ethos has been to educate both the locals, tourists and the wider public about what there is to see under the waters both off our coast and inland within the Gippsland Lakes,’ Don said.

‘We have taken much pleasure in educating the public from children through to the elderly within our community,’ he added.

Whilst coronavirus (COVID-19) restrictions have meant staying home, it has given this close-knit band of divers a chance to reflect on their achievements.

‘The great reward for us is to see the database we have accumulated both photographically and scientifically, which shows trends in marine life we have observed as a result of our data collection over a long period of time,’ said Don.

The move from outdoor activities to the online world has also given Don the opportunity to reach people virtually, through Parks Victoria and Coastcare Victoria’s ‘Winter by the Sea’ online program.

He will be sharing his knowledge and enthusiasm with a live online presentation about the marine life of the Gippsland Lakes this August.

You can find Friends of Beware Reef on Facebook.

Winter by the Sea With the cessation of all volunteer programs in coastal parks and reserves together with the postponement of the 2020 Coastcare Victoria biennial marine and coastal volunteer event, many marine and coastal volunteers expressed interest in online engagement opportunities to keep themselves connected with each other and with Victoria’s coast.

The Coastcare Victoria team worked with Parks Victoria to develop an online program of events to engage and support volunteers while social distancing restrictions apply.

The online ‘Winter by the Sea’ program includes a series of live presentations by marine and coastal volunteers and subject matters experts, monthly interactive workshops to build skills and knowledge, and ranger led virtual field trips in coastal parks to explore key habitats.

The program was announced during a special volunteer focused broadcast on Triple R’s Radio Marinara on 10 May 2020 by Mark Rodrigue (Parks Victoria’s Statewide Leader – Marine and Coasts) and Bec Cross

13

(Coastcare Victoria Coordinator). Over 100 people registered for activities within the first 24 hours.

Please access the registration page to attend an event, or contact the Coastcare team if you’d like to know more.

Coastcare Victoria and Parks Victoria promote ‘Winter by the Sea’ on Triple R’s Radio Marinara.

Coastcare Victoria Community Grants online Q&A When physical distancing restrictions commenced in March, the Coastcare Victoria team adapted their approach to supporting Victoria’s passionate marine and coastal volunteer network.

In collaboration with other DELWP teams and external partners, the team has explored online initiatives to keep in touch with the volunteer community.

To support volunteers and community groups with proposals and applications for the 2020 Coastcare Victoria Community Grants program, the team delivered a live online Q&A webinar.

Coastcare Victoria Community Grants 2020 live Q&A webinar

Previous grant recipients, Bellarine Catchment Network and Port Phillip EcoCentre, made videos showcasing

their successful projects. The videos were posted online ahead of the Q&A for applicants to stimulate their thinking and questions.

Feedback from Q&A participants indicated that the initiative to provide online support was extremely valuable.

You can view the webinar at marineandcoasts.vic.gov.au/coastal-programs/Coastcare-Victoria/coastcare-victoria-community-grants.

Signs set to showcase volunteers' great work Jan Juc Coast Action (JJCA) has installed interpretative signage along the Jan Juc clifftops, providing visitors to the Surf Coast Walk with a before and after view of the area. The signage was funded through the Great Ocean Road Coast Committee’s (GORCC) Coastal Grants Program.

JJCA was the first marine and coastal volunteer group founded under the Victorian Coast Action (now known as Coastcare Victoria) program in 1994.

The group has undertaken significant preservation, protection and rehabilitation works along the Jan Juc clifftops over a period exceeding 25 years.

The signs will showcase the success of the work achieved by the group and how their hard work has made the Jan Juc heathlands the beautiful area it is today.

‘There have been thousands of hours of volunteer work put in to enhance these areas. Hopefully, these pictures tell a bit of a story about how important it is to treat it well,’ Luke Hynes from Jan Juc Coast Action said.

In addition to before and after photos, the signs demonstrate community ownership and commitment to the area and provide information as to how people can get involved with JJCA.

The signs can be found along the Surf Coast Walk near Bird Rock car park, Jan Juc Beach car park and Steps Lookout in Jan Juc – locations that show the direct impact the volunteer group’s efforts have had on creating substantial positive environmental change on the clifftops.

This is a real example of how well connected volunteer groups can leverage support and funding through a range of sources.

14

JJCA have been successful grant recipients of Coastcare Victoria’s Community Grants Program on multiple occasions, and it’s great to see that the group is supported through other avenues such as GORCC’s Coastal Grants Program to capitalise on their commitment to their local area.

For more information, check out the GORCC blog.

Entries now open for the Premier’s Sustainability Awards Celebrating its 18th year, the Premier’s Sustainability Awards have evolved to become Victoria’s leading sustainability recognition platform, showcasing individuals, businesses, organisations and communities forging the way to a more sustainable future.

The Coastcare Victoria team encourages you to nominate yourself or others for the Environmental Volunteering category.

Eligible entries for this category include initiatives undertaken by volunteer groups or individuals who have been instrumental in protecting and improving Victoria’s environment.

The Premiers Sustainability Awards information session will be held live online on Tuesday 16 June 2020 at 1.30pm.

To register to attend the information session, or if you have any questions about entering, please contact Nation Partners, PSAenquiries@nationpartners.com.au, mobile 0459 710 375.

Entries close at 5pm on Monday 20 July 2020.

For more information, tips, hints and profiles of previous finalists and winners visit the Premier's Sustainability Awards website.

© The State of Victoria Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning 2020 This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International licence. You are free to re-use the work under that licence, on the condition that you credit the State of Victoria as

author. The licence does not apply to any images, photographs or branding, including the Victorian Coat of Arms, the Victorian Government logo and the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning (DELWP) logo. To view a copy of this licence, visit http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Disclaimer This publication may be of assistance to you but the State of Victoria and its employees do not guarantee that the publication is without flaw of any kind or is wholly appropriate for your particular purposes and therefore disclaims all liability for any error, loss or other consequence which may arise from you relying on any information in this publication.

Accessibility If you would like to receive this publication in an alternative format, please telephone the DELWP Customer Service Centre on 136186, email customer.service@delwp.vic.gov.au, or via the National Relay Service on 133 677 www.relayservice.com.au. This document is also available on the internet at www.delwp.vic.gov.au.