Barwon Coast is proud to welcome the Wonderland Spiegeltent, a beautiful 1930s nostalgic wooden mirrored and antique travelling European circus tent, to Barwon Heads this summer. Running from the 26th December to the 28th of January, the Spiegeltent will be located on the foreshore at Lahey Square Park on the foreshore in Barwon Heads, adjacent to the Barwon Heads Bridge.

Car parking on the coast can be tricky over the busy summer months, so patrons of the Wonderland Spiegeltent are encouraged to consider other travel options. Those attending matinee shows will be most affected by low car parking availability.

There are excellent coastal trails leading straight to the Wonderland Spiegeltent site, so why not put on a pair of walking shoes or ride your bike to the show? Bike parking will be available onsite. Perhaps you could convince a friend to drop you off and walk or catch an Uber or a taxi home. Car-pooling with friends is another great idea to reduce the stress of finding a car park.

Barwon Coast runs a small shuttle bus over the summer months between Ocean Grove and Barwon Heads. This could be an option for the matinee shows, but will not be running for the evening shows. Public buses also run from Geelong and other areas of the Bellarine to Barwon Heads, see http://www.mcharrys.com.au/ for timetables.

If you can’t walk or ride to the Wonderland Spiegeltent, parking may be found at a number of sites. Suggested spots include the carpark on the end of the Ocean Grove spit at 20W followed by a short walk across the iconic Barwon Heads bridge, carparks in the Bluff Rd precinct, within Lahey Square itself and along Flinders Parade. A map of suggested car parking sites is available for Spiegeltent patrons and can be found on this page.

Revenue raised from the Spiegeltent’s site rental will go towards Barwon Coast’s coastal management operations. Barwon Coast manage 13km of coastal Crown land from 7W beach access in Ocean Grove to 42W beach access to the west of 13th Beach, Barwon Heads. Management of the coastal reserves is funded through revenue provided by the Barwon Heads Caravan Park, Riverview Family Caravan Park in Ocean Grove, the Riverside Camping area, restaurant leases and events such as the Wonderland Spiegeltent.

For Spiegeltent show bookings click here or phone 9602 1311 or email functions@wonderlandspiegeltent.com.au

BOOK TICKETS

Conflict is occurring between dogs and other beach users on the Barwon Coast. At times this conflict is so significant it involves dog attacks. This cannot continue; and so Barwon Coast are doing something about it. Barwon Coast, in partnership with other organisations including the Victoria Police and the City of Greater Geelong, are launching a new campaign called ShareOurShores. This campaign aims to bring the community together with all organisations involved in dogs on beaches. ShareOurShores promotes the respect, responsibilities and rights that are important in minimising conflict between different beach users and dogs.

ShareOurShores will be launched in Ocean Grove at two identical Campaign Launch Events on Saturday 18th and Monday the 20th November, 2017. A panel of experts will discuss the pros and cons involved in dogon beaches and provide information on the current dog controls that are in place. Everyone, dog owner or not, who has an interest in dogs on beaches is encouraged to come along. Tickets are free and can be booked online  or call 5254 1118.

Gary McPike, General Manager of Barwon Coast said that “Barwon Coast is very concerned about risks to human and wildlife safety created by dogs on beaches. We are also worried about the impact dogs can have on the general amenity of our coastal reserves.”

“Some locals have admitted to us that they are frightened to visit the beach with small children for fear of a dog attack.”

“Many locals and visitors have expressed concerns about dogs on beaches directly to Barwon Coast and we are aware that it is a very prominent topic on local social media forums.”

Sergeant Shane Connolly of the Victoria Police said that “Unlawful behaviour by dog owners is of concern to the Bellarine Police members as it poses a threat to public safety. We welcome our involvement in the ShareOurShores Campaign launch as it will enable us to speak with the community about antisocial behaviour and dog owners not adhering to dog control laws.”

Barwon Coast are charged with the management of 13kms of coastal crown land from the east of Ocean Grove to the western end of 13th beach. Barwon Coast set dog control orders that dictate the where, when and how people walking dogs may use the coastal reserves. Dog Control Orders are enforced by officers from the City of Greater Geelong. 

ShareOurShores Campaign Launch  

Respect, Responsibities & Rights.

BOOK TICKETS ONLINE

Please join us for the launch of ShareOurShores.ShareOurShores promotes the respect, responsibilities and rights that are important in minimising conflict between different beach users and dogs. Click here to book your free tickets for the Campaign Launch in Ocean Grove on either November 18th or November 20th 2017.

The Barwon Coast and surrounding beaches are home to a variety of wildlife and are also popular for dog walking, surfing, family picnics, exercise groups and the list goes on! At times these various uses of the beach conflict with each other and that’s when issues arise.

Come and listen to a panel of experts discuss the pros and cons of associated with dogs on our local beaches. Following the presentations you will have a chance to talk individually and access further information from the presenting organisations.

Master of Ceremonies is Kevin Collister from Totally ProActive Pty Ltd

Our Panel will feature representatives from:

• Barwon Coast
• Department of Land Water and Planning
• Cherished Pets
• City of Greater Geelong; and the
• Victoria Police.

So ‘Bridal Creeper’ is not the name of the latest horror movie, it’s a nasty species of weed. Every year Barwon Coast use a biological agent called Rust Fungus to tackle this problem. Simply put, we collect the Rust Fungus, turn it into an inert liquid filled with the fungus spores and then spray this onto the Bridal Creeper. This spore water stops the growth of Bridal Creeper. Killing weeds might not sound exciting, but is integral to keeping the Barwon Coast environment healthy.

The City of Greater Geelong has recently launched a free new app that details the 100-plus dog-friendly parks, walking tracks and coastal reserves across Geelong; excluding the Barwon coastline.

The app called 'Park Your Pet' provides information on the range of open spaces and the dog control orders that apply to each place.

The app is an easily accessible format using coloured icons for on-leash and off-leash parks. Dog control orders exist to ensure a safe experience for the wider community, so download the app today.

For Barwon Coast Dog Control Zones click HERE.

A community Renewable Energy Forum is being held on Sunday 27th August from 2pm - 5pm at the Barwon Heads Community Hall, 77 Hitchock Avenue.

You are invited to come and listen to speakers from our local community, Geelong and beyond to find out how you can get involved in transitioning our community to a clean energy future.

The Forum will be structured with What's happening, What we can do, and a public discussion session.

For more information and to reserve a place at the event visit bhsustainability.org.au

This is a partnership event brought to you by the Barwon Heads Association, Barwon Heads Sustainability Group, ReEnergise Geelong, Geelong Sustainability, and the City of Greater Geelong.

Barwon Coast are now seeking applications from providers wishing to conduct activities such as fitness classes and training on our coastal reserves along the ocean and river at Barwon Heads and Ocean Grove.

​Please contact our office on 5254 1118 or email office@barwoncoast.com.au for a copy of the information & registration document for applicants.

Applications will be accepted until 4:00pm, Monday 27th February 2017

The warmer weather provides us with opportunities to attend social gatherings and stay longer periods out in the natural environment, which is good for our health.

People are trying to do the right thing by leaving rubbish at overflowing bin receptacles which may seem harmless, but actually has a significant negative impact on the local environment. The reality of leaving your rubbish in open areas leads to decreased water quality, harms wildlife including marine birds and mammals, and can make our fish toxic; fish that you eat.

When bins are full there are alternatives like, source another bin or take your rubbish home where you can securely stow it away from our wildlife and windy weather.

Litter is every bodies concern and we all have a duty of care to ensure we do not unintentionally litter. Let's clean up our mess together.

Healthy places means healthy people and healthy wildlife. waterways and landscapes.

Together we can make a difference.

For your safety, do not jump or dive from the Barwon Heads Jetty or the William Buckley Pedestrian Bridge into the Barwon River.

An incident could have a lifelong impact on yourself or a friend, please note the story from the attached news article.  

The river is a dynamic environment and is always changing.

Maritime Safety Victoria invites you to complete a questionnaire to improve paddlers safety.

You can complete this survey by clicking on https://survey.instinctandreason.com/paddlingsurvey/?rcpt=24 

TAKE2 is Victoria's collective pledge initiative to take action on climate change to help Victoria reach net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.

TAKE2 is open to all Victorians; state government, businesses, local councils, community groups, educational organisations and individuals who want to be part of Victoria's action on climate change.

By participating in the TAKE2 program Victorians have the opportunity to:

• Publicly commit to taking immediate action on climate change;
• Contribute to Victoria's leadership on climate change;
• Be part of the first State-led pledging program in Australia, and one of the mot comprehensive in the world;
• Help build Victoria's 2020 interim emissions reduction goal;
• Drive innovation and new technology to address climate change;
• Showcase how they are making a difference and inspire others to do the same; and
• Be part of the solution.

To find out more go to:  https://www.take2.vic.gov.au/

Barwon Coast is continuing to work on options for access from the "Cylinders" car park down to 13th Beach.  The site of the old staircase, lost late last year, is still active and presents almost unsurmountable problems for rebuilding on the same site. All other options are being investigated including funding possibilities for those options.  Barwon Coast knows it is a popular site and has received input form stakeholder groups supporting a replacement access in some form.  We will continue to work toward the best outcome possible and to keep the community updated as planning progresses.

This local community project aims to increase knowledge and appreciation of the biodiversity and fragility of the Barwon Estuary.  The project team is calling for participants to record estuary observations online or in a diary, attend workshops, guided walks and expert talks, and contribute to a community publication. As residents and visitors develop a communal understanding of the estuary and become more skilled in sharing their learning and observations via a range of communication strategies, the community will be more motivated and able to collaboratively initiate practical and innovative conservation activities using the infrastructure and experience of existing groups such as Barwon Estuary Watch, Barwon Coast and Barwon Heads Sustainability Group.

Coming Soon

• Bird photography workshop: Sunday 19th June 2016, 2-4pm;
• Guided Walk - History, Plants & Water of the estuary: Sunday 14th August 2016, 2-4pm.

Both activities are free and all ages welcome.

Register your interest:  barwonestuary@gmail.com  

"Upgrading the Ocean Grove SLSC was one of my key election commitments and I am working with the club and community about how we best progress this project.

A recent report that suggested the surf club upgrade has been deferred is incorrect.  The upgrade of the Ocean Grove SLSC building has not been deferred and the timing of this upgrade is no way related to the re-lease request by the adjoining Dunes Cafe.

I am working with the Barwon Coast Committee of Management and the Ocean Grove SLSC about how we best progress the redevelopment of the surf club.

The Andrews Labor Government has committed $2.67 million towards the upgrade of the surf club to ensure that the club has the facilities to allow it to grow and continue to do the important work it does every summer - saving our lives.

I made this election commitment, the project will go ahead."

Barwon Coast has the management role for the Local Port of Barwon Heads, an important aspect of the management is engaging with users to have safety and environmental awareness as priorities in the local port activity. A Safety and Environment Management Plan has been prepared for that purpose. The plan is an active document where inputs from users can support the SEMP's review and update, the opportunity for observations and comment is available at any time though that opportunity is highlighted at the beginning of this new year. The SEMP can be downloaded from the web site, visit Environment - Boating.   

In an endeavour to protect the eroding sand dunes east of the Ocean Grove beach emergency vehicle access ramp a geotextile sand bag wall has been constructed along the toe of the sand dune for 50 metres, the sand dune face was replenished with a large amount of sand moved from the nearby lower beach area and placed on the dunes. The area has been re-fenced along the toe of the dunes and signs warning everyone to keep off the dunes for safety and to protect the works, have been installed.

A new public toilet has been constructed on the ocean side of the bridge at 20W access way car park. This development includes two unisex toilets with disabled access. The toilet block has minimal environmental impacts and includes a low-water use system.