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Latest News
Close X5 November 2026
Three Hooded Plover chicks hatch at Barwon Bluff South
Three chicks have hatched at Barwon Bluff South
3 November 2026
Hooded Plover update – two active nests
Two nests have failed and two remain along our coastline.
3 November 2026
Final Foreshore Master Plan released
Barwon Coast has launched its new Foreshore Master Plan, setting a shared direction for the management of 22 kilometres of coastline over the next 15 years.
26 October 2026
Hooded Plover update – two active nests
Two nests have failed and two remain along our coastline.
26 October 2026
Summer food vendor expressions of interest 2026–27
Expressions of interest are now open for temporary summer food vendor permits across Barwon Coast Caravan Parks from 19 December 2026 to 31 January 2027.
Environment & Open Space Coordinator
Published on 28 October 2026
Lead the care and management of our coastal environments, open spaces and natural reserves, making a positive difference to the places our community values.
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 lead and coordinate Barwon Coast’s Open Space and Natural Resource Management functions, overseeing the delivery of environmental management, conservation, horticultural and maintenance programs across our coastal reserves, open spaces and caravan parks.
You will provide leadership and direction to operational teams, coordinate resources and contractors, and ensure works are delivered safely, efficiently and to a high standard.
Key responsibilities include:
- Leading and supporting the Open Space and Natural Reserves teams to deliver operational priorities and maintain high service standards.
- Developing, coordinating and monitoring annual operational works programs across open spaces, natural reserves and caravan park grounds.
- Implementing established environmental management strategies and contributing to targeted environmental initiatives.
- Overseeing the maintenance and management of natural environments, biodiversity, open space assets and associated facilities.
- Coordinating operational projects, contractors, resources and budgets to achieve agreed outcomes.
- Promoting sustainable practices, safe work environments and continuous improvement.
- Building positive relationships with Traditional Owners, community groups, volunteers and other stakeholders.
About You : We are looking for an experienced and practical leader who brings strong operational management skills and a genuine commitment to environmental conservation and the care of public open spaces.
You will bring:
- Relevant tertiary qualifications in natural resource management, environmental management, horticulture or a related discipline, and/or extensive relevant practical experience.
- Demonstrated experience coordinating open space maintenance, natural resource management, horticultural or conservation programs.
- Proven experience leading and developing operational teams, including coordinating contractors and resources.
- Strong planning, organisational and project management skills, including experience managing works programs and budgets.
- Sound knowledge of environmental management practices, operational risk and workplace safety requirements.
- Well-developed communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work effectively with a range of stakeholders.
- A proactive, collaborative and solutions-focused approach to leadership and operational challenges.
- A current Australian driver’s licence.
You will be someone who enjoys balancing hands-on operational knowledge with team leadership and planning and takes pride in maintaining and enhancing our natural coastal environment.
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 an opportunity to lead dedicated operational teams, contribute to meaningful environmental outcomes and help maintain the coastal spaces enjoyed by residents and visitors.
How to Apply: To apply, please submit your resume and a cover letter outlining your relevant experience and interest in the position.
Applications close: Tuesday 10 November 2026
For further queries, or a confidential discussion, please contact Nicola Hyde, People and Culture Manager – 5254 1118
Barwon Coast is committed to providing an inclusive and respectful workplace and welcomes applications from people with diverse backgrounds, experiences and perspectives.
📣 Did you know you can report an issue via our website?
Whether it`s vandalism to one of the facilities we manage, a maintenance issue or something else that needs fixing, you can let us know using our online reporting form.
Our team will review your report as soon as possible and follow up where required.
💻 Report an issue via our website (link in bio)
Thanks for helping us care for our coast!
P.S. This is an old picOpen post by barwoncoast with ID 17912764764576019
💙 Three Hooded Plover chicks have hatched at Barwon Bluff South! 🐣
Three Hooded Plover chicks hatched today (5 November), marking a positive milestone in this year`s breeding season.
To protect the chicks, a temporary beach closure is being established between The Bluff Dune South and The Hole beach accesses for approximately five weeks, until the chicks can fly and are considered self-sufficient.
💙 Please respect the closure and follow local signage and barriers.
💙 Follow the signed pedestrian detour or explore one of our other beautiful local beaches while the chicks grow.
💙 Keep dogs away from the protected area and give the chicks plenty of space.
A big thank you to the Friends of the Hooded Plover – Bellarine volunteers for their ongoing efforts!
Read the full update, including the beach closure map on our news story on our website - link in bioOpen post by barwoncoast with ID 18167792071514931
💙 Want to stay up to date with our Hooded Plovers?
We`ve launched a new Hooded Plover email update list to help you stay informed throughout the breeding season!
Sign up to receive updates on:
💙 Where Hooded Plovers are nesting along our coast
💙 When eggs hatch and chicks arrive
💙 Temporary beach closures and protection measures being put in place/removed
💙 Nesting successes and challenges throughout the season
Whether you`re a regular beach walker, dog owner or wildlife enthusiast, these updates will help you plan your beach visits and give our Hooded Plovers the space they need.
Sign up here: https://mailchi.mp/barwoncoast/hoodie-updatesOpen post by barwoncoast with ID 17954573601266618
💙 Hooded Plover nesting update
We currently have one active Hooded Plover nest along our coast, following the unsuccessful outcome of the nest between the Wedge St and Tuckfield St beach accesses.
The remaining nest is at Barwon Bluff South, where the eggs are expected to hatch around 4 November. This means the birds are now in the final stages of nesting.
There is currently one active nest remaining, following the unsuccessful outcome of a nest between the Wedge Street and Tuckfield Street beach entrances in Ocean Grove.
The remaining nest, located at Barwon Bluff South, is in the final stages of nesting; the eggs could hatch any day now. If the eggs hatch successfully, a beach closure (temporary exclusion zone)will be introduced to give the chicks the best chance of survival.
💙 Please follow local signage, keep your distance from nesting areas and keep dogs away from protected sites.Open post by barwoncoast with ID 18019117418951402
Have you checked out our final Foreshore Master Plan yet? 🌊
Take a closer look at the Knowledge Map – a beautiful illustration connecting cultural knowledge, Country, community values, and nature.
A huge thank you to Wadawurrung artists Billy-Jay O’Toole (@papul_art) and Alisha Fagan (@warribagurrk), who collaborated with @hatchdesign__ and Barwon Coast to bring this piece to life. 💙
Explore the Plan 👉 https://barwoncoast.com.au/foreshoremasterplan/Open post by barwoncoast with ID 18121160533984700
We`re hiring! 🌿
Looking for your next opportunity? We have four positions available across the Barwon Coast team.
If you`re passionate about our coast and community, we`d love to hear from you!
Explore the roles and apply via our website (link in bio)Open post by barwoncoast with ID 18339269509277475
💙 Trialling a new approach to Hooded Plover protection
The trial will see protection measures increase as the birds move into the late nesting phase and raising chicks. The aim is to give these vulnerable shorebirds the best chance of successfully raising their young, while balancing beach access for everyone.
The aim is to give these vulnerable shorebirds the best chance of successfully raising their young, while balancing beach access for everyone.
You may notice changes to signage, temporary fencing and beach access arrangements as the breeding season progresses.
💙 Every little action helps. Please follow signs, keep your distance from nesting areas and keep dogs away from protected sites.
Find out more about the trial and how you can help protect our Hooded Plovers via the `Recent Projects` section of our website.
Photo by Rod MorrisonOpen post by barwoncoast with ID 18126384646675859
🌊 Our coast. Our shared direction.
22 kilometres. 15 years. More than 1,200 voices.
After almost two years of listening, learning and planning, our Foreshore Master Plan is here.
You shared your knowledge. You told us what matters. You gave us feedback on the Draft Plan – and we made lots of changes in response.
Now we have a shared direction for the future of our coast, and it’s time to begin putting it into action.
Thank you to everyone who helped shape the Plan. 💙
Explore the Plan and what happens next via the link in our bio.Open post by barwoncoast with ID 18077825972734139
🐣 Hooded Plover update – two active nests
Mixed news for our Hooded Plovers, with two nests still active at Barwon Bluff South Dune and Wedge Street/Tuckfield Street, while nests at 13th Beach – Boings and The Ant – have unfortunately been unsuccessful.
The Barwon Bluff South Dune nest is expected to hatch in just over a week, with temporary beach closures to follow.
🐾 We share nesting locations so you can plan your beach visits – whether that`s choosing a different walking track, walking along the waterline or knowing where dogs need to be on lead.
A few small changes can make a big difference to these vulnerable little birds.
Thanks to Friends of the Hooded Plover – Bellarine for their ongoing care and monitoring.
👉 Find a full update on our website news section.Open post by barwoncoast with ID 18037498493853807
If you have a bird bath in your backyard, you can help reduce the risk of spreading H5 bird flu by keeping it clean. 🐦
Regularly clean and disinfect bird baths, refresh the water often and wash your hands after handling them.
Where possible, keep pets away from bird baths and other places where wildlife gathers.
If you see sick or dead birds or wildlife:
✅ avoid direct contact
✅ record the exact location and what you observed
✅ report it online
🔗agriculture.vic.gov.au/birdfluOpen post by barwoncoast with ID 18089536802696056
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.
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