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Key Project Dates

1 November 2026

Trial commences 0%

May 2027

Trial completes %

Mid-late 2027

Reporting back 0%

 

Hooded Plover protection trial

Published on 27 October 2026

Barwon Coast is trialling a new three-phase approach to protecting Hooded Plovers at selected high-risk breeding locations during the 2026–27 breeding season.

The trial introduces different levels of protection as nesting progresses – from egg laying through to hatching and the vulnerable period before chicks can fly.

The aim is to provide protection that responds to the level of risk at different stages, while making it clearer for beach users to understand what they need to do.

Have your say

We want to hear from our community about how the trial is working.

If you visit one of the trial areas, we encourage you to complete our short survey and tell us what worked well, what could be improved and whether the new approach and communications were clear and effective.

Complete the community feedback survey

Feedback, engagement data and observations throughout the breeding season will help inform our future approach to Hooded Plover protection.

Stay up to date

Want to know when Hooded Plovers are nesting and temporary protections are introduced? Sign up for Hooded Plover updates to receive information about:

  • New nests identified along our coast
  • Temporary dog requirements, including Dogs On Lead areas
  • Temporary exclusion zones (beach closures) to protect chicks

Sign up for Hooded Plover updates

Where is the trial taking place?

The trial applies when Hooded Plovers nest within two identified high-risk areas:

  • between Wedge Street, Ocean Grove and Tuckfield Street, Collendina beach accesses
  • between the Barwon Heads pedestrian bridge and the Bukareeyoo LSV Patrol Beach entrance – Emergency Marker BUK404, previously 18W.

How does the three-phase approach work?

Why are we trialling a new approach?

Hooded Plovers nest directly on the beach, making their eggs and chicks particularly vulnerable to disturbance from people and dogs.

Our existing protection approach has two stages. The trial introduces a third phase and additional temporary protections at high-risk locations, particularly as eggs approach hatching and while chicks are moving along the beach.

This allows protections to respond to the changing level of risk throughout the nesting cycle.

Frequently asked questions

When does the trial run?

The trial will operate during the 2026–27 Hooded Plover breeding season, beginning on 1 November 2026 and continuing until the end of the breeding season in 2027.

Protections will only be introduced where required in response to Hooded Plover nesting activity within the two trial areas.

Why have these locations been selected?

The two areas have been identified as high-risk Hooded Plover breeding locations because of the interaction between nesting birds, beach users and dogs.

The trial will help Barwon Coast understand whether additional protections at different stages of the nesting cycle can improve outcomes for Hooded Plovers while providing clear information to beach users.

Are the dog rules changing?

The standard rules around dogs on our beaches, known as the dog controls, continue to apply (you can find the current dog controls here).

The trial introduces additional temporary dog requirements around Hooded Plover nesting areas at particular stages of the breeding cycle.

  • During Phase 2, at identified high-risk locations, a temporary Dogs On Lead area extending 200 metres either side of the nest will apply.
  • During Phase 3, at identified high-risk locations, dogs must be on lead for 100 metres either side of the closed beach access.

Signs will clearly identify where temporary requirements apply.

How are the temporary dog requirements enforced?

The additional temporary dog requirements are established through a Set Aside Determination under the Crown Land (Reserves) Regulations 2009.

These requirements are separate from the standard dog controls that apply to beaches managed by Barwon Coast in partnership with the City of Greater Geelong. These came into effect in December 2023, and are enforced under the Domestic Animal Act 1994.

What is a Set Aside Determination?

A Set Aside Determination allows specific rules to be established for the use of Crown land, including temporary requirements designed to protect wildlife and the environment.

The trial requirements are established under the Crown Land (Reserves) Regulations 2009.

Who oversees these requirements?

The Conservation Regulator is responsible for regulating the use of public land, wildlife and biodiversity in Victoria.

Learn more about the Conservation Regulator

What happens after the trial?

Barwon Coast will review community feedback alongside engagement data and operational observations from throughout the breeding season.

The findings will help us understand what worked well, what could be improved and how the three-phase approach could inform future Hooded Plover protection.

We will report back to the community through a Closing the Loop report following the breeding season.