environmental protection and economic sustainability for Western Port Bay and its coastlines
The SOLUTION
A new ‘whole of bay’ approach
Our mission is to manage, restore, and legally protect the marine and coastal environment of Western Port Bay, now and for the future. Guided by community, our ‘whole of bay’ integrated approach champions environmental protection and economic sustainability for Western Port Bay and its coastlines.
THE Three core pillars of the vision:
A new Strategic Plan for Western Port Bay
A coordinated planning and management tool that recognises the natural values of the Western Port and the future economic prosperity of the region.
A collaborative management Partnership
bringing together Traditional Custodians, community representatives, government agencies, councils, local business and industries, fishing and recreational groups, to develop and deliver the plan.
A dedicated fund to ACHIEVE the plan
Committed annual resources to make sure the Western Port Bay framework successfully meets its objectives.
ACHIEVING OUR VISION
We’re not talking about reinventing the wheel, but rather redesigning it to give the bay the best chance of a resilient, healthy future.
No single tool under existing legislation can deliver the whole-of-bay environmental care and sustainable development needed.
We suggest a combination of complementary tools, used in a careful and coordinated way. Attention should be given to the most effective elements of current marine and coastal legislation. A comprehensive Environmental Management Plan that includes marine spatial planning (among other tools) is vital.
Council planning, Plan Melbourne, Melbourne Water models and projects, the Western Port Ramsar Management Plan, Port of Hastings plans, and others will also form critical parts of the strategic plan.
Ideally this process would be overseen by a regional and strategic partnership that co-designs and overseas funding and the delivery of projects.
image: Leafy Seadragon
image: Penguin, James White
download the framework
Download the strategic framework for the future of Western Port Bay here.
Objectives
Perspectives and values of Traditional Custodians are at the forefront of the vision.
Collaborative systems across water and land bring together Traditional Custodians, community groups, and government agencies.
Transparent assessment of industrial proposals with genuine opportunities for community input.
Permanent legal protections against detrimental or degrading uses of the Bay and coastlines.
Inclusion of Western Port Bay’s cultural, recreational and conservation significance in future decision-making.
Comprehensive marine and coastal surveys to identify, assess and prioritise management of high conservation value areas, migratory birds, threatened plants and animals, and threatening processes.
Restoration of degraded marine and wetland habitats to create:
Resilience against climate change and other impacts
Revitalised habitats for important and threatened plants and animals
Climate mitigation through the protection and care of seagrasses, mangroves and saltmarsh
Improved sustainability of the economy that depends on a healthy living world.
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Benefits
Comprehensive environmental management, biodiversity conservation, research and monitoring of the Western Port environment.
Strengthened Traditional Custodian and community stewardship and governance.
Improved transparency for industry and government in understanding the benefits of rejecting inappropriate development proposals.
Cost-effective approach to managing Western Port by funding activities with positive tangible outcomes.
Strengthened environmental health and climate resilience by protecting biodiversity.
Improved tourism and recreational opportunities including fishing, especially where initiatives such as habitat restoration occur.
Show your support
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