Thursday, 9 March 2023

Ministers statements: coastal public access and risk grants

Ingrid STITT (Western Metropolitan – Minister for Early Childhood and Pre-Prep, Minister for Environment) (12:23): I was very pleased last week to announce the successful recipients of our $1.1 million coastal public access and risk grants program for 2022–23. The Andrews Labor government is committed to ensuring that it is as easy and safe as possible for the community to access our spectacular beaches. But we also know that the marine and coastal environment is regularly changing due to the impacts of climate change, tides, storm surges and other local conditions, and that is why through this annual grant program we are working together with land managers to identify and mitigate these risks to our coastline.

Thanks to this funding 16 important projects will be supported to deliver vital safety and access upgrades at coastal locations across our state. This includes beach access improvements at Ocean Grove, Lorne, Marengo, Warrnambool, Sandy Point, Seaspray, Phillip Island, Parkdale, Middle Park and Blairgowrie. We are also delivering funding for safety assessments and planning work for future improvements at Walkerville – a lovely spot – Dromana and White Cliffs, and new safety signage at Phillip Island nature parks and beaches. Since 2014 more than $140 million has been invested into marine and coastal environmental projects across our state, supporting our statewide marine and coastal strategy and building the adaptation and resilience of Victoria’s coastal communities for years to come.