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5 November 2026
Three chicks have hatched at Barwon Bluff South
3 November 2026
Two nests have failed and two remain along our coastline.
3 November 2026
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
Two nests have failed and two remain along our coastline.
26 October 2026
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.
Published on 26 March 2026
Community feedback is now being sought on the draft Bancoora Coastal Adaptation Plan (CAP). The online survey is open from 26 March to 3 May, 2026, and we encourage anyone with an interest in the future of the Bancoora coastline to review the Plan and share their thoughts.
Background
Bancoora Beach and the Breamlea foreshore are treasured for their cultural values, natural beauty and as places to unwind and connect with nature. Like many coastal areas, Bancoora is experiencing increased visitation as the population grows in outer Geelong and the nearby Armstrong Creek growth corridor.
The coastline is naturally dynamic, shaped by shifting sand, tides, waves and currents. These natural processes will continue to influence the coast into the future. As sea levels rise and storm activity increases, parts of the coastline may be inundated, while other areas may be eroded and reshaped by sand movement.
About the draft Bancoora Coastal Adaptation Plan
Barwon Coast, in partnership with Wadawurrung Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation (WTOAC), has developed the Bancoora Coastal Adaptation Plan for Bancoora Beach and the Breamlea foreshore. Alluvium Consulting were engaged to prepare the Plan.
The project was funded through the Victorian Government’s Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action Victoria’s Resilient Coast Grants Program 2023.
The draft Plan aims to understand the cultural, environmental and community values of Bancoora and the Breamlea foreshore, and how these may be affected by coastal change such as sea level rise, erosion and inundation. It considers potential impacts on important places, infrastructure and uses, and identifies adaptation options to manage current and future coastal risks.
Draft Plan now available for community feedback
The draft Bancoora Coastal Adaptation Plan is now available to read. The consultation period is open from today, 26 March, to 1 May, 2026.
Fill out the Community Feedback Survey
The community is invited to provide feedback in the following ways:
1. Drop-in information session
A drop-in information session will be held where community members can learn more about the Plan and ask questions.
The expert consultants who prepared the Plan, Alluvium Consulting, will be there alongside Barwon Coast staff to explain the findings and help answer questions.
2. Community feedback survey
You can also share your feedback by completing our online community survey. Printed surveys are available on request.
The survey closes 1 May, 2026.
Fill out the Community Feedback Survey
3. Make a submission
Community members can also provide feedback by making a written submission.
Submissions can be emailed to office@barwoncoast.com.au with the subject line Bancoora Coastal Adaptation Plan submission, via post to 7 Ewing Blyth Drive, Barwon Heads, 3227.
Submissions must be received by 3 May, 2026.
Your feedback will help inform the finalisation of the Bancoora Coastal Adaptation Plan and guide how this stretch of coastline is cared for into the future.
Learn more about the Bancoora Coastal Adaptation Plan on our dedicated project page.
Please note: previous communications incorrectly stated the consultation closing date as Sunday, 1 May. The correct closing date is Sunday, 3 May. We apologise for any confusion caused.
Three chicks have hatched at Barwon Bluff South
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.
📣 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 pic
💙 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 bio
💙 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-updates
💙 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.
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/
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)
💙 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 Morrison
🌊 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.
🐣 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.
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/birdflu

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.