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Victoria's Marine National Parks & Sanctuaries
Barwon Coast - Coastal Management
The Barwon Coast Committee of Management Inc. as the local foreshore manager
has responsibility for the management of 13km of coastal crown land from
Collendina to Blue Rocks including our beautiful beaches in Ocean Grove
and Barwon Heads, and the Barwon Heads Bluff.
Barwon Coast has a Committee of 9 volunteer members appointed by the Minister for Sustainability and Environment and operates two major coastal caravan parks - Barwon Heads Caravan Park and the Riverview Family Caravan Park, Ocean Grove.
Trading surpluses from the Caravan Park enables Barwon Coast to fulfill its Coastal Management role in accord with the framework for the ecologically sustainable management of the coast as espoused in the 2002 Victorian Coastal Strategy.
In practical terms that locally translates into meeting the often conflicting challenges of conserving the marine, estuarine and natural onshore environment whilst catering for the ever increasing demand for human access to that environment.
Since the dawn of time, humans have interacted with the coast be it that in more recent years humans have become coastal explorers of rock pools, dunes, cliffs, and sandy beaches rather than food gathers.
That challenge could be simply met by providing carparks and rubbish bins and then letting the ever increasing number of users of the coast meander through the coastal dunes, rock pools etc. without any concern for the almost certain resultant damage to the environment.
Barwon Coast however has taken a more proactive approach to coastal management by encouraging beach users to use defined beach access points, beach access boardwalks and steps, walking trails etc. that provide full access to the sandy beaches whilst preserving the fragile dunal systems to the east of Ocean Grove, the Barwon Heads - Ocean Grove spit, or the cliff faces from the Bluff to 13th Beach and beyond.
Providing for public access to the beach environment is however not an end in its self and Barwon Coast has a role in increasing community awareness of coastal and marine issues and has actively supported the establishment of the Barwon Estuary Heritage Centre (Lobster Pot) that is providing a wonderful coastal experience for visitors, locals, school groups etc.
The Centre also recognises the significance of the use of the coast by the original inhabitants of the land, the Wathaurong people, and therefore features a substantial display to raise community awareness of the local aboriginal heritage.
The recently declared 17ha Barwon Bluff Marine Sanctuary at the mouth of the Barwon River recognises and provides the opportunity for passive human activity, be it snorkeling along the reefs, exploring the magnificent rock platforms of the intertidal zone or walking around the base of the Bluff.
However those participating in such activities need to be very aware
of the sudden changes in tide and wave heights as it is possible to be
so involved in exploring the creatures living on the rock platforms that
an incoming tide can sneak in and suddenly you can be marooned.
Similarly explorers need to be very aware of the fragile nature of the cliffs at the Bluff and totally refrain from climbing on the cliff face. In recent years rock falls have occurred and Barwon Coast has installed many advisory signs in the area warning of the dangers of the cliff face.
The walk around the top of the Bluff provides another opportunity to observe the Marine Sanctuary and the magnificent coastline. This walk, recently significantly upgraded by Barwon Coast, has a number of lookouts along its route that enables the breathtaking views from Cape Schank to Aireys Inlet to be taken. Where else can you see three operational lighthouses in one great expanse of coastline?
