Foreshore Master Plan

Who is Barwon Coast?

Barwon Coast Committee of Management Inc (Barwon Coast) is delegated by the Victorian Minister for Environment to manage 22km of the coast along Victoria’s Bellarine Peninsula. This includes the beaches and foreshores of Collendina, Ocean Grove, Barwon Heads, 13th Beach, Black Rock and Breamlea. In partnership with Traditional Owners, Barwon Coast’s charter is to protect and enhance the natural environment and provide opportunities for residents and visitors to enjoy these areas.

Barwon Coast operates three caravan parks and one campground in the foreshore reserve, as well as managing various community and commercial leases and licences. All revenue raised is reinvested to care for the natural environment and to provide facilities and infrastructure along the coast for use and enjoyment by all.

What is a ‘Master Plan’?

‘Master Plan’ can mean different things to everyone. To determine what a Master Plan would look like for the Barwon Coast Foreshore, we worked with Traditional Owners, community members, the Community Reference Group and stakeholders to develop a shared vision for the Foreshore.

The Barwon Coast Foreshore Master Plan is a 15-year guide for the protection, access, improvement and long-term care of approximately 22 kilometres of coastal Crown land managed by Barwon Coast, from Breamlea to Collendina.

Why is a Master Plan needed?

The final Foreshore Master Plan will set Barwon Coasts direction and a significant amount of its program of work for the next 15 years. It will ensure that Barwon Coast is responding to pressures like population growth, ageing infrastructure and coastal hazards (erosion and sea level rise), as well as guide investment to ensure we continue find the right balance between meeting the needs of our communities while protecting and enhancing our natural environment.

In addition, the Barwon Coast Coastal and Marine Management Plan 2020-2025 (CMMP) is due for renewal in 2026. The outcomes of this project will inform development of a new CMMP.

Who developed the draft Master Plan?

Barwon Coast has been working with Hatch Design to develop the Master Plan. We have worked closely with our communities and stakeholder organisations, including Wadawurrung Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation, Department of Energy, Environment, Climate Action (DEECA), Department of Transport and Planning, City of Greater Geelong, Barwon Water, Corangamite Catchment Management Authority and Parks Victoria.

Did Barwon Coast complete a master plan a couple of years ago?

Yes. The Camping and Caravan Parks Master Plan, which sets out Barwon Coasts accommodation needs for the next 10 years, was approved in 2023. The Foreshore Master Plan does not review the accommodation needs reviewed camping and caravan park areas in relation to public access and facilities through the Foreshore reserves. However, due to key feedback heard during our community consultation, Bukareeyoo recreational opportunities have been considered in more detail which has impacts on some camp sites.

How does the Master Plan work?

The Master Plan is a layered document and is designed to be read in layers. It starts with the full 22 km Foreshore and gradually zooms in to precincts, key places, priority actions, design ideas and delivery steps.

This Master Plan works at three scales; we start big, then zoom in.

• The Foreshore-wide map shows the full 22 km coast. Use it to understand how the network connects as a whole. The pink line is the primary coastal path. Blue and brown lines are supporting connections.
• Precinct plans: Find your precinct and read the local detail. Each precinct plan shows trails, nodes, biodiversity zones and key actions for that area.
• Concept plans zoom into priority locations and show specific layout, access and infrastructure changes. Actions are numbered and colour-coded by priority.

How does the draft plan consider climate change?

The Coastal Hazard Exposure Report (CHER) and Bancoora Coastal Adaptation Plan (CAP) are foundational inputs to the draft Master Plan.

As climate change intensifies, so do the impacts of sea level rise, erosion, storm surge and inundation. These are collectively named coastal hazards, and they pose a growing risk to infrastructure, access, environmental values and the long-term function of the Foreshore. These dynamic risks are central to every planning decision. The CHER defines the physical and temporal parameters of the coastline, identifying where hazards occur today and how they are projected to evolve. It provides the primary evidence base for risk-informed planning and basis for a mitigation hierarchy, found in the draft Plan, which guides how the Master Plan responds to coastal hazards.

The mitigation hierarchy follows a clear logical sequence:

1. Avoid risk where possible.

2. Adapt where change is needed.

3. Transition over time where places can no longer support the same use.

This helps ensure access, land use and infrastructure decisions work with coastal processes, reduce future risk, and support long-term resilience.

Will the Plan increase development along the coast?

The Plan seeks to carefully manage and minimise impacts on the foreshore. Proposed improvements are intended to be balanced with environmental protection and landscape character.

How are sensitive coastal areas being protected?

The Plan uses ecological sensitivity, coastal hazard exposure, the Biodiversity Strategy 2025-35, the Mature Tree strategy and cultural values to guide where access, infrastructure and activities are appropriate or limited.

How was the community involved in the development of the draft Master Plan?

Community and stakeholder input has directly informed the direction of the draft Plan. The Community Reference Group (CRG), established through an open Expression of Interest in late 2024, brings together approximately 20 members representing local residents, landowners, sporting clubs, and conservation and community organisations. The CRG plays an ongoing role in testing ideas and shaping outcomes.

Wadawurrung Traditional Owners have contributed through workshops and direct collaboration, strengthening understanding of Country as an interconnected system of land, water, culture and story. This knowledge has informed the Shared Values, priorities and key frameworks that guide how the Foreshore is planned, experienced and cared for.

What sort of engagement activities have there been so far?

Engagement has been central to the development of the Master Plan. Between November 2024 and July 2025, sessions and engagement included:

• Workshops and strategic sessions
  • On-Country Session with Wadawurrung Traditional Owners
  • Community Reference Group (CRG) Workshops
  • Barwon Coast Committee Workshops
  • Barwon Coast Staff Workshops
• Community and public engagement
  • Community Engagement Survey (via EngageVic)
  • Youth Forums at Bellarine Secondary College
  • Public pop-up event at Lahey Square, Barwon Heads
  • Three days (19 sessions) of Community Design Workshops
  • Community open gallery event
  • Local Drop-in sessions: Breamlea Community Hall, 13th Beach SLSC, Dawn Café, Collendina
• Inter-agency Engagement, including project Meetings and ongoing collaboration with key stakeholders:
  • Wadawurrung Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation (WTOAC)
  • Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA)
  • Barwon Water
  • Corangamite Catchment Management Authority
  • City of Greater Geelong
  • Department of Transport and Planning (DTP)
  • Parks Victoria

What happens if the same feedback is submitted multiple times?

To support a fair and transparent engagement process, any duplicate or coordinated submissions may be identified and grouped during analysis. Feedback will be assessed based on themes and issues raised, rather than the number of times identical comments are submitted.

We will also look at feedback gathered across all engagement activities – including surveys, workshops, drop-in sessions and conversations with stakeholders – rather than relying on form submissions alone.

What did people say during the previous community engagement?

Community members, Traditional Owners, staff, Barwon Coast Committee, the Community Reference Group, and visitors shared so many considered ideas, feedback and insights during our Foreshore Master Plan engagement – we thank everyone who took the time to get involved.

To capture and share this input, in September 2025 we released two reports:

• Engagement Report Summary-an easy-to-read overview of key themes and insights.
• Full EngagementReport– for those who want to explore the complete findings.

The Plan is guided by three core priorities that arose from the community engagement:

1. Putting Country First: embedding Wadawurrung cultural authority and protecting ecological systems

2. Access as Invitation: delivering a connected, legible and safe movement network

3. Leading with Care: focusing investment, reducing impact, and retaining coastal character

Across the seven precincts, the Master Plan identifies where access should be improved, where activity should be concentrated, where informal tracks should be closed and restored, where cultural recognition and storytelling should be strengthened, and where sensitive ecological and coastal hazard areas require protection or long-term adaptation.

Which state government policies and guidelines provide direction for the Master Plan?

The Marine and Coastal Act 2018 and Marine and Coastal Policy 2020 are the key statutory and policy frameworks underpinning the Master Plan. They guide decision-making and establish the planning concepts, including the definitions of activity nodes and recreation nodes, that direct use, organise infrastructure and minimise impacts on the coastal environment (DELWP, 2020).

What are activity nodes and recreation nodes?

• Activity nodes provide for community recreation facilities and tourism activities. They sit within settlements, adjacent to activity centres in planning schemes, and include (but are not limited to) major beach arrival areas, cycling infrastructure, beach access points and boardwalks.
• Recreation nodes sit on marine and coastal Crown land outside activity nodes. They provide access and infrastructure for recreation and water-related activities. Use and development that supports access or the functioning of coastal-dependent activities, may be located in recreation nodes. Typical assets include car parks, lighting, CCTV, wayfinding signage, picnic and seating facilities, and services such as community clubs.

What policies, plans and technical reports have been considered as part of the Master Plan?

The Master Plan draws on a structured review of policy, legislation and supporting documents, establishing the statutory framework, strategic direction and evidence base for all planning decisions.

Policy and Legislative Framework

• Marine and Coastal Act 2018
• Marine and Coastal Policy 2020
• Planning and Environment Act 1987 (Vic)
• Victorian Planning Provisions
• Bellarine Peninsula Statement of Planning Policy – Distinctive Areas (2023)
• Surf Coast Statement of Planning Policy – Distinctive Areas (2021)
• Siting and Design Guidelines for Structures on the Victorian Coast (2020)

Statutory and Management Plans

• Barwon Coast Coastal and Marine Management Plan (CMMP)
• Barwon Bluff Marine Sanctuary Management Plan (2007)
• South East Bellarine Coastal and Marine Management Plan

Strategic and Regional Frameworks

• Wadawurrung Country Plan 2020–2030
• Corangamite Regional Catchment Strategy
• Rivers of the Barwon (Barre Warre Yulluk) Action Plan
• Kitjarra-dja-bul Bullarto langi-ut Masterplan (2023)
• Sustainable Destination Master Plan – Geelong & The Bellarine (2023–2033)
• Greater Geelong Cycle Strategy
• City of Greater Geelong Shared Trails Master Plan

Coastal and Environmental Technical Reports

• Barwon Coast Foreshore Coastal Hazard Exposure Report
• Coastal Hazards and Coastal Adaptation Assessments
• Barwon Coast Biodiversity Strategy (2025-35)
• Creating Connection: Places & Spaces Access Audit (2025)
• Wadawurrung Wiyn Cultural Fire Strategy Healing Country with Fire 2024-2034

Site-Specific and Precinct Plans

• Barwon Coast Caravan and Camping Master Plan (2023)

Does the Plan override planning or environmental laws?

No. Any future works would still require relevant approvals, environmental assessments and compliance with state and local legislation and policy.

What happens next?

The community was invited to review the draft Foreshore Master Plan and provide feedback between 1 June and 6 July 2026. Community feedback will help refine the Plan and guide how the coast is managed, protected and enhanced into the future.

Barwon Coast will now review all feedback received and prepare a final Foreshore Master Plan for consideration by the Barwon Coast Committee of Management and the Victorian Government.

We will share the final Foreshore Master Plan with the community.

How will the Master Plan be implemented?

An implementation plan will be developed which will set out priority actions (e.g. high, medium, low), costs estimates and potential funding sources.  A quantity surveyor has been engaged to provide cost estimates.  The implementation plan will guide Barwon Coast’s operational budgets and yearly works schedule. Actions will be implemented by Barwon Coast staff, contractors and consultants (depending on the required skills, timing and expertise).

Who will pay for implementing the Master Plan actions?

The draft Foreshore Master Plan is a long-term guide to help shape decision-making and future investment across the coast over the next 15 years. While the Plan identifies a broad range of actions and opportunities, it is unlikely that all actions will be delivered within this timeframe.

Implementation will occur progressively and be subject to available funding, approvals, environmental assessments and changing community priorities. Funding may come from a range of sources, including Barwon Coast investment, government partnerships (Federal, State and Local), grant opportunities, private sector investment and philanthropic contributions.

Will all these actions definitely happen?

The Master Plan does not approve every action for construction, guarantee funding or remove the need for further design, approvals, cultural and community engagement, environmental assessment or feasibility testing; Some will require further investigation, approvals or detailed design before implementation.

The Master Plan provides a clear decision-making framework to help Barwon Coast, Wadawurrung Traditional Owners, government agencies, partners and the community make better decisions over time.

Actions will be reviewed and adjusted over time in response to:

• Coastal erosion and sea level rise.
• Changes in habitat condition.
• Visitor pressure and use patterns.
• Cultural guidance and priorities.
• Approvals and funding pathways.

How can I stay informed?

Project updates, including factsheets, engagement opportunities, technical reports that inform the draft Plan, and community engagement reports and summaries, will be shared on the dedicated project webpage and through Barwon Coast social media channels.

To stay up to date on the project, including being notified when the final Foreshore Master Plan is released, join our mailing list via the link below.

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