Find out more
Contact Barwon Coast at the following
15 October 2026
Great news for Hooded Plovers, with two new nests identified at Thirteenth Beach
13 October 2026
Filming for a car commercial is taking place in Barwon Heads on Wednesday 14 October.
7 October 2026
Hooded Plover breeding season is underway across our coast, with a new nest now confirmed.
7 October 2026
The Crater public toilet block at the lower car park next to Barwon Heads Thirteenth Beach Surf Life Saving Club has been temporarily closed following significant damage to the building overnight.
6 October 2026
Barwon Coast is aware of increased mosquito activity following an unusually early start to the mosquito breeding season.
Published on 15 October 2026
Help shape a more sustainable future for our coast and community.
Are you passionate about environmental sustainability, community partnerships and inspiring others to care for our coastal environment?
Barwon Coast is seeking a proactive and collaborative Sustainability & Community Officer to help deliver our sustainability priorities, strengthen our volunteer and community partnerships, and coordinate meaningful environmental education and engagement initiatives.
This is an opportunity to make a practical difference, working across our organisation and alongside community groups, volunteers and key stakeholders to support positive environmental and community outcomes.
About Barwon Coast
Barwon Coast is responsible for the management and protection of coastal Crown land across Ocean Grove, Barwon Heads and the surrounding coastline.
We work to protect and enhance our unique coastal environment while providing safe, accessible and enjoyable spaces for residents and visitors. Working alongside Traditional Owners, community groups, volunteers and other stakeholders, we are committed to caring for our coast, promoting environmental sustainability and ensuring these special places can be enjoyed by future generations.
About the Role
Reporting to the General Manager – Operations, you will play an important role in coordinating the implementation of Barwon Coast’s Sustainability Plan and supporting initiatives that promote environmentally responsible practices across our operations.
Your key responsibilities will include:
You will work collaboratively with teams across Barwon Coast, Wadawurrung Traditional Owners, schools, community organisations and other stakeholders to deliver initiatives aligned with our environmental and community priorities.
About You
We are looking for someone who combines a genuine commitment to sustainability with strong organisational skills and the ability to build positive working relationships.
To succeed in this role, you will bring:
Experience in environmental education, community engagement or volunteer program coordination will be highly regarded.
Why Join Barwon Coast?
At Barwon Coast, you will have the opportunity to contribute to the protection and enjoyment of our coastal environment while working with people who are committed to making a positive difference.
This is a diverse and rewarding position offering the opportunity to work across sustainability, community engagement and environmental education, with flexibility to negotiate a 0.8 FTE arrangement.
How to Apply
To apply, please submit your resume and a cover letter outlining your relevant experience and interest in the position.
Applications close: Wednesday 4 November 2026
If you would like to talk to someone regarding the role please contact Pip Jankowski on 0407 505 855
🐦 Calling all bird lovers!
The Aussie Bird Count is back from 19–25 October, and our friends at BirdLife Australia (@birdlifeoz) are inviting everyone to get involved!
Whether you`re exploring our beautiful coastline, relaxing in your backyard or visiting a local park, all it takes is 20 minutes to discover the birdlife around you.
It`s a fun, free way to connect with nature while contributing to important citizen science that helps us better understand Australia`s bird populations.
🌿 No birdwatching experience needed – just a keen eye and a little curiosity!
👉 Register now at https://aussiebirdcount.org.au and get counting!
🌱 Our fleet is getting greener! 🚗⚡
We`re making the switch to greener ways of working, with three electric cleaning carts and an electric car already part of our fleet – and an electric van joining us soon!
Even better, our electric fleet is partially powered by renewable energy generated by solar panels installed on some of our facilities. ☀️
It`s all part of our commitment to reducing our environmental footprint and finding more sustainable ways to care for the 22 km of coast we manage.
Small changes making a positive difference for our coast and community. 💚
#BarwonCoast #Sustainability #GreenFleet
🎬 Lights, camera, Barwon Heads!
We love seeing our beautiful coast in the spotlight! Tomorrow morning (Wednesday 14 October), a car commercial will be filmed around Lahey Square.
🚗 Temporary parking changes
Lahey Square car park will be closed from approximately 7am to 10.45 am, with some gravel parking along Jetty Road also unavailable during filming.
Parking will remain available at At The Heads and along Flinders Parade.
Thanks for your patience while the cameras roll – we can`t wait to see our coast on the telly! 📺🌊
While the risk of H5 bird flu in pets is extremely low, it`s best to take precautions.
If you`re out walking your dog or spending time outdoors:
✅ Keep dogs on a lead in areas with native wildlife
✅ Don`t allow pets to investigate or eat dead animals
✅ Stop cats from roaming and hunting wildlife
These simple actions help protect pets, wildlife and curbs the spread of disease.
If you suspect H5 bird flu in birds, mammals, poultry or other captive birds, report it immediately by calling the Emergency Animal Disease Hotline on 1800 675 888 or to DEECA online.
Find out more at agriculture.vic.gov.au/birdflu
More information about responsible pet ownership and legal requirements: agriculture.vic.gov.au/animalwelfare
Seals are an important part of Victoria`s coastal landscape and our communities.
With H5 bird flu detected in seals in Victoria, it’s important not to touch sick, injured or dead seals and other marine mammals.
If you see a marine mammal that appears unwell:
Stay at least 30 metres away. Keep children and pets clear.
Do not touch, handle or attempt to move the animal
Avoid disturbing groups of seals resting on beaches or rocks
Report sick or dead wildlife
Limiting contact with potentially infected wildlife helps protect people, pets, livestock and other wildlife.
For more information, visit agriculture.vic.gov.au/birdflu
💧 Barwon River water quality update
Good news! Barwon Water has confirmed that water quality in the Barwon River through Geelong has returned to normal background levels following recent testing.
Thank you to the community for your patience and understanding during this time.
For further information, please follow @BarwonWater and check their website for updates.
Some exciting Hoodie news! 💙🥚
One of the scrapes we’ve been keeping an eye on has officially become a nest, with a Hooded Plover pair laying eggs at Bluff South Dune – The Corner.
As you can see, these tiny, well-camouflaged eggs are sitting in some pretty rough terrain – a reminder of just how vulnerable Hooded Plovers are while nesting on our beaches.
If you’re visiting the area, please help give this pair the best chance of success:
💙 Steer well clear of the nesting area and give the birds plenty of space
💙 Keep dogs on lead and under control
💙 Walk close to the waterline and away from the dunes
💙 Never approach or disturb nests, eggs or birds
Fingers crossed for this little family! 🤞💙
🚧 Damage to Crater toilet block, Thirteenth Beach
The Crater public toilet block at the lower car park behind Barwon Heads Thirteenth Beach Surf Life Saving Club has been temporarily closed following significant damage to the building overnight.
The building has been secured and an urgent engineering assessment is underway to determine the extent of the structural damage.
Please respect all closure signage and barriers and stay clear of the building. The nearest public toilets are located at Beacon.
Victoria Police has been notified and anyone with information about the incident is encouraged to report it to police.
For more information and updates, visit our website: https://barwoncoast.com.au/damage-to-crater-toilet-block-at-13th-beach/
Summer job? Sorted. ☀️🌊
Come along to our recruitment event this Friday and find out about casual cleaning work with Barwon Coast over the 2026–27 peak season.
We have at least 15 positions available, with work across our caravan parks and campground in Barwon Heads, Ocean Grove and Breamlea.
📅 Friday 9 October
⏰ 10 am–12 pm
📍 Education Room, Barwon Heads
Meet the team, ask your questions and see if it’s the right fit for you.
👉 https://barwoncoast.com.au/SummerCleaningCasuals2026
Our 2025–26 Annual Report is out!
It’s a snapshot of a busy year caring for the 22 kilometres of coastal Crown land we manage and the work happening every day to protect, maintain and plan for these special places.
Inside, discover:
🌊 The technical work, planning and assessments completed over the year that are helping shape the future of our coast
🌊 Projects and improvements delivered across the coast
🌊 how we work with Wadawurrung Traditional Owners, community groups and volunteers
🌊 The caravan parks and camping grounds that help fund our work
Revenue generated through @barwoncoastcaravanparks is reinvested into caring for the coast, supporting the people, projects, facilities and conservation work undertaken by our dedicated team.
Take a look back at 2025–26 and learn more about the work happening across our coast.
👉 Read the Annual Report on our website (link in bio)

This is Wadawurrung Country. We acknowledge the Wadawurrung People as the Traditional Owners of the land, waters, seas and skies of Ocean Grove, Barwon Heads, 13th Beach, Black Rock and Breamlea. We honour and say Nyatne to Elders past, present and future whose ancestors, for thousands of years, have cared for this part of Dja (Country). We are committed as an organisation to meaningfully work together with Traditional Owners to make Wadawurrung Culture and Country strong.

© 2026 Barwon Coast. Website by Residency Studios.