Kingston's Coastal and Marine Management Plan

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**This consultation is now closed and the Plan is now final. Please see below for details**

Kingston’s coastline is an iconic part of Port Phillip Bay. Combining continuous sandy beaches, vegetated dune systems, access to the water and stunning bay views, our coastal and marine areas attract locals and visitors all year around. Our foreshore provides a wide range of recreational, economic and lifestyle opportunities. These are supported by facilities, infrastructure and management initiatives that maintain our open space, preserve areas of cultural importance and protect and enhance our sensitive and unique environments.

Our Coastal and Marine Management Plan (CMMP) will help guide appropriate and effective management of Kingston’s marine and coastal areas. With increasing pressures from development and growth, a changing climate and aging and inadequate infrastructure, a range of initiatives are needed to appropriately balance the management of social, cultural, environmental, and economic values of our coastline, ensuring it remains a desirable place to live, work and visit.

The CMMP aims to provide Council a strategic direction for the management of coastal and marine areas within the municipality over the next five to ten years. With increasing pressures from urban growth and a changing climate and environment, this plan will ensure that our community can continue to enjoy using our beaches and open public spaces along the coast and improve our management approach into the future.

The CMMP includes:

  • a vision and objectives reflecting community and stakeholder sentiment, and aligning with legislative direction
  • the values and future aspirations for Kingston’s coastal and marine areas
  • current and emerging issues, including those which may potentially threaten values
  • potential opportunities, priority actions and projects for delivery, over the next 5-10 years
  • an implementation pathway and monitoring framework.

This plan is intended to reflect interests of our Kingston community. This includes all those who enjoy, use, care for and rely upon Kingston‘s coastal and marine areas - our residents, businesses, workforce, visitors and Council.

Community and stakeholder perspectives have helped us shape our CMMP, and has seen us consulting with Council staff, agencies, Traditional Owner groups and our community, including our Bay Watch Committee, formed specifically to help advise this project.

Endorsed by Council in September 2021, the plan was placed on public exhibition, for a 4-week period from Wednesday 22 September to Wednesday 20 October. Thank you to all who provided feedback.

Your input helped shape the final version of the plan, which was approved by Council at Kingston's 13 December 2021 Council Meeting.

The plan was approved by the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action in April 2023.

A link to the plan can be found in the Documents library on the right-hand side of this page.

**This consultation is now closed and the Plan is now final. Please see below for details**

Kingston’s coastline is an iconic part of Port Phillip Bay. Combining continuous sandy beaches, vegetated dune systems, access to the water and stunning bay views, our coastal and marine areas attract locals and visitors all year around. Our foreshore provides a wide range of recreational, economic and lifestyle opportunities. These are supported by facilities, infrastructure and management initiatives that maintain our open space, preserve areas of cultural importance and protect and enhance our sensitive and unique environments.

Our Coastal and Marine Management Plan (CMMP) will help guide appropriate and effective management of Kingston’s marine and coastal areas. With increasing pressures from development and growth, a changing climate and aging and inadequate infrastructure, a range of initiatives are needed to appropriately balance the management of social, cultural, environmental, and economic values of our coastline, ensuring it remains a desirable place to live, work and visit.

The CMMP aims to provide Council a strategic direction for the management of coastal and marine areas within the municipality over the next five to ten years. With increasing pressures from urban growth and a changing climate and environment, this plan will ensure that our community can continue to enjoy using our beaches and open public spaces along the coast and improve our management approach into the future.

The CMMP includes:

  • a vision and objectives reflecting community and stakeholder sentiment, and aligning with legislative direction
  • the values and future aspirations for Kingston’s coastal and marine areas
  • current and emerging issues, including those which may potentially threaten values
  • potential opportunities, priority actions and projects for delivery, over the next 5-10 years
  • an implementation pathway and monitoring framework.

This plan is intended to reflect interests of our Kingston community. This includes all those who enjoy, use, care for and rely upon Kingston‘s coastal and marine areas - our residents, businesses, workforce, visitors and Council.

Community and stakeholder perspectives have helped us shape our CMMP, and has seen us consulting with Council staff, agencies, Traditional Owner groups and our community, including our Bay Watch Committee, formed specifically to help advise this project.

Endorsed by Council in September 2021, the plan was placed on public exhibition, for a 4-week period from Wednesday 22 September to Wednesday 20 October. Thank you to all who provided feedback.

Your input helped shape the final version of the plan, which was approved by Council at Kingston's 13 December 2021 Council Meeting.

The plan was approved by the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action in April 2023.

A link to the plan can be found in the Documents library on the right-hand side of this page.

Coastal and Marine Management Plan Guestbook

We would like to know more about what you value most and what can be improved in our popular marine and coastal areas.

CLOSED: This discussion has concluded.

Hi, these planning process should last 10 years not 5. This would return better value for ratepayers as planning costs would be halved and more money spent on actual implementation of plans

I love Carrum and its history about 3 years ago

The natural native foreshore habitat is unique to Kingston and coastal Melbourne and Victoria, it occurs nowhere else in the world so please protect and extend it. Please, keep the natural foreshore reserve for nature, people and natural vistas, and expand local native plants and wildlife habitat where possible for Rakali, blue wrens, etc.
Please, no more horticultural plantings anywhere on the Kingston foreshore reserve and please remove non-local native plantings in recent times including planted or self-sown Canary Island Palms at Mordialloc; no more parking or paving over foreshore reserve; and no more commercialisation or dominance of Kingston coastal crown land. This would then avoid a concrete-lined Kingston coast with a foreign plant landscape and pests that serves commercial interests rather than nature and people.
Thank you, Nina Earl

Nina Earl about 3 years ago

I agree with Murray in suggesting extensive tree planting along the foreshore and particularly along Beach Road Cheltenham - Mordialloc; pruning and clean up. More prevention of erosion on the cliff sides. Invite community planting days - encourage community input and participation!
Also Council needs to erect some sort of fencing or natural borders to prevent people and dogs trampling foreshore and plants / scrub/ tree areas e.g. taking short cuts from the upper path to the beach path! This will help prevent erosion.
Bikes should not be allowed along the foreshore paths between Charmin Road Cheltenham and Mordialloc. There is a Bicycle path that should be being used. Bayside Council stopped bicycle use from Charmin Road to Table Rock & beyond - this has assisted in minimising erosion plus increases safety for walkers against speedy bike riders. These should not be mountain bile riding tracks! If mountain bike riding is a leisure activity of interest then create designated mountain bike riding parks / places. Braeside Park is a beautiful park for riding mountain bikes (as one example, maybe more need to be introduced).
Council taking a stronger stance and policing of illegal tree pruning / removals!
Definitely no commercial development on the foreshore - like Kerry Anne said.
Council could explore partnership approach with our Local Indigenous Traditional Owners to encourage a presence of education and cultural sharing along the foreshore / beach. There is truth telling and history / heritage to share and learn about in this area from an Indigenous perspective.
Recycling bins (clearly labelled / pictured) should be used and sufficient bins placed along the beach / foreshore.
Agree with more regular maintenance of lower beach level paths - they fill with sand and decrease accessibility for people with mobility needs. Ramps need assessment for safety and ease of access for all abilities.
Retain the beach level paths from Charmin Road through to Parkdale. Retain the upper dirt paths - love the meandering through tea-tree and shrubs along the top paths. It is a natural beauty and asset to our Council.
Thank you - we have a rich history to share and enjoy along the foreshore; and it is a wonderful asset that requires ongoing maintenance and community input and participation...
S Cameron

S Cameron about 3 years ago

I agree with Murray in suggesting extensive tree planting along the foreshore and particularly along Beach Road Cheltenham - Mordialloc; pruning and clean up. More prevention of erosion on the cliff sides. Invite community planting days - encourage community input and participation!
Also Council needs to erect some sort of fencing or natural borders to prevent people and dogs trampling foreshore and plants / scrub/ tree areas e.g. taking short cuts from the upper path to the beach path! This will help prevent erosion.
Bikes should not be allowed along the foreshore paths between Charmin Road Cheltenham and Mordialloc. There is a Bicycle path that should be being used. Bayside Council stopped bicycle use from Charmin Road to Table Rock & beyond - this has assisted in minimising erosion plus increases safety for walkers against speedy bike riders. These should not be mountain bile riding tracks! If mountain bike riding is a leisure activity of interest then create designated mountain bike riding parks / places. Braeside Park is a beautiful park for riding mountain bikes (as one example, maybe more need to be introduced).
Council taking a stronger stance and policing of illegal tree pruning / removals!
Definitely no commercial development on the foreshore - like Kerry Anne said.
Council could explore partnership approach with our Local Indigenous Traditional Owners to encourage a presence of education and cultural sharing along the foreshore / beach. There is truth telling and history / heritage to share and learn about in this area from an Indigenous perspective.
Recycling bins (clearly labelled / pictured) should be used and sufficient bins placed along the beach / foreshore.
Agree with more regular maintenance of lower beach level paths - they fill with sand and decrease accessibility for people with mobility needs. Ramps need assessment for safety and ease of access for all abilities.
Retain the beach level paths from Charmin Road through to Parkdale. Retain the upper dirt paths - love the meandering through tea-tree and shrubs along the top paths. It is a natural beauty and asset to our Council.
Thank you - we have a rich history to share and enjoy along the foreshore; and it is a wonderful asset that requires ongoing maintenance and community input and participation...
S Cameron

S Cameron about 3 years ago

Having recently been involved in the Bay Trail / Beach Road NARROWING consultation process I have very little confidence in Council taking any notice of the majority community viewpoint. It seems Council are only interested in the viewpoints of minority groups who have a particular agenda to push. I hope this process is different but don't hold very high expectations with the process or our Councillors acceptance of the community viewpoint.
I am particularly concerned about the foreshore area between Charman Rd, Mentone and Nepean Hwy, Mordialloc.
The Foreshore and beach MUST be a place for people to gather, relax, have fun and enjoy the beach.
The BAY TRAIL precinct has never been finished and must be completed as a matter of URGENCY.
ACCESS TO THE BEACH - Existing beach access ramps were removed completely or replaced with unsuitable steps. SAFE access to the beach is denied to the elderly, disabled, families with young children, people with water craft, etc. Properly constructed and DDA compliant ramps must be reinstated along the foreshore. This is an URGENT requirement.
PARKING - The community lost at least 300 SAFE OFF-ROAD parking spaces and the overall quantity of spaces available were reduced substantially along Beach Road. Instead we got unsafe parking in the outside traffic lanes, parking restrictions and unacceptable congestion in the side streets. People and young families are forced to cross the busy road risking serious injury. This is not acceptable. It is essential and immediate action is required to INCREASE the existing car park capacity and create new car parks along the foreshore.
FORESHORE AMENITY - For too long Council has promoted broken down and unruly kept vegetation. There has been an explosion in weeds and dead vegetation. Council's agenda must change. The foreshore must be a place for the community to congregate and enjoy. There must be a balance between well kept vegetation and public amenity. CLEAN up the vegetation, create places for the community to host picnics, BBQ's, play games, eat fish and chips and relax. Make sure the public toilets are CLEANED more regularly. They are a disgrace (not only on the foreshore but around the Municipality).
VEGETATION - Council has for too long planted unsuitable species along the foreshore. They can't get past Coastal Banksias and Sheoaks. I draw your attention to the Department of Environment, Land Water and Planning report titled "EVC / Bioregion Benchmark for Vegetation Quality Assessment" and in particular the "Ecological Vegetation Class (EVC)" of vegetation along this area of foreshore. The foreshore is predominately classified as "EVC 161 - Coastal Heathland Scrub". EVC 161 scrub is described as "Scrub or Scrubland on steep, rocky coastal headlands often associated with cliffs exposed to the stresses of extreme salt laden winds and salt spray from the south west". Most importantly there is no plant species identified in the report that grows over 3m tall. But Council for some reason insist on planting unsuitable trees that grow to 30m tall. The plant species identified in the DELWP report must be used for replanting purposes to ensure heritage standards are maintained.
RUBBISH BINS - Council has removed a number of rubbish bins. There is an increase in rubbish left behind by visitors to the beach. More bins should be located at or near the access/egress ramps along with signage to encourage visitors to dispose of their rubbish. The existing stainless steel bins should be cleaned and polished regularly. There are several with the tarnished stainless steel that won't see out the distance of time.
PEST CONTROL - There is an explosion of rats along the foreshore. Their must be an increase of vermin control. The rats are migrating to the local residences causing damage and infiltrating premises. Vermin eradication program must be increased.
MORDIALLOC SEA WALL - The sea wall was constructed in 1925/26 using funds raised and donated by the Mordialloc Carnival Committee. It will be 100 years old in a couple of years and is suffering from a bad case of concrete cancer. There are very few structures of heritage remaining in the City of Kingston. The wall must be restored for it's centenary birthday. The blue stone block foundations are mainly in good condition, the upper section and the light poles need restoration. LED lights should replace the old electric globes. The design must remain the same.
PETER SCULLIN RESERVE - The reserve is well supported and provides a great area for the community to congregate and play. Council has just WASTED $2 million on replacing a perfectly good concrete path from Rennison St through the reserve to Nepean Hwy for little or no added benefit to the community. Stop wasting ratepayers money. LEAVE PETER SCULLIN alone. There is nothing wrong with it.
EXCELLENT FORESHORE EXAMPLES - All along the coastline throughout NSW and Qld there are excellent examples of foreshore management. A good example is the foreshore treatment at Burleigh Heads. There is a excellent path meandering though the trees, there are well maintained grassy areas to play, picnic, entertain and relax, the amenities and bins are cleaned daily and more often during busy times. Someone from Council should consult with GCCC for ideas on how to provide a foreshore amenity to encourage the community to come to the beach.

Rob Luker about 3 years ago

Is it possible to see the previous report so we can understand what the objectives were and if they were met/what was delivered under the previous plan?

Corey J about 3 years ago

Council needs to do massive tree planting of indigenous species along our foreshore and including Beach Road. This area is currently a degraded mess. Areas along the foreshore require protection from being trampled and tree vandal signs and fines should be employed against anyone damaging foreshore plants. 24/7 phone numbers and a Council email address for photo evidence should be widely advertised at carparks and at structured entry points. Tree plantings act as a carbon sink, reduce urban heat build up, assists protection of the foreshore from erosion and creates a more desirable environment. Council seems to have avoided the obvious so far.

Murray Orr about 3 years ago

More rubbish bins, including bins for glass specifically along beach entries
Enforcing dogs on leads during on-lead times, so many times corralled by un supervised, free ranging dogs with owners not caring
Removal of storm water outlet at Mentone

S Cook about 3 years ago

A walking track eg. boardwalk along the beach from the patterson river track upto chelsea life saving club with seating along the way and picnic benches on chelsea foreshore, this would really impove the area and would make the foreshore area by the beautiful beach a destination for more than just people that just want to go to the beach on a nice warm day.

Mdh about 3 years ago

A walking track eg. boardwalk along the beach from the patterson river track upto chelsea life saving club with seating along the way and picnic benches on chelsea foreshore would really impove the area and would make it more accessible for

Mdh about 3 years ago

We have lived in Mordi since 2007, and are dog owners who walk our dogs on the local beach pretty much every single day, and have for the last decade. Rain, hail or shine, we go for walks.

The walk from Mordi, south of the creek, to the Edithvale beach cafe has been my mental health medicine during lockdown. So have the evening sessions after 7.30pm.

This has all been possible because of the excellent, generous rules of allowing dogs on this stretch of the beach before 10am and before 11am in winter. Gives us time to walk and to stop and chat and have our coffee while on the sand.

Through the years, after moving from overseas, we have become part of a close-knit dog owner community centered around the beach cafe (the old one and now the new one).

In addition to the regulars, there are 100s (not an exaggeration) of incidental, casual dog-owning visitors owners frequenting and walking on this stretch of the beach

Please, please, please do not change these rules. Don't take away this essential part of the Mordi/Aspendale/Edithvale community.

There is plenty of non-dog beach available north of the creek.

99.9% of the dog owners on this stretch are responsible, considerate people.

Please come down and see for yourselves!

Do not take away our dog beach.
Thank you

K Jakobsen about 3 years ago

We value the natural beauty of port Phillip bay and the sea life it is home to (dolphins, fish, seals and more). The community and visitor experience could be vastly improved by stricter controls on motorised water craft. In particular, Chelsea beach (which currently gets inundated by jet skis around the pier and towards the lifesaving club) needs a strong effort to maintain its family friendly appeal. This could be facilitated by not allowing any jet skis to come to shore between Patterson River and Mordialloc creek. The refueling activities on the shore contaminate the beach and shallow waters, whilst the noise diminishes beach enjoyment for others. There is also a drinking culture within the jet ski community that is unpleasant for other beach users.

Jenpen about 3 years ago

As a regular visitor to carrum playground part of the enjoyment is having dogs watching over the children and children interacting with dogs. Never have I seen any child worrying about dogs or any dog causing any problems to children.
& Certainly never seen any dog poop in playground . Most Dog owners are responsible & are restricted enough to where we can enjoy their companionship

Dip about 3 years ago

Easier Access to river bank on bonbeach side. (Not everyone can get over concrete barriers)
More seating along north riverbank

Dip about 3 years ago

A boardwalk to a sitting area on beach bonbeach side away from river would be nice.
Available Seating at end of river now is used as bait boards.

Dip about 3 years ago

Old post office lane is no longer a dog beach. Allowing dogs on bonbeach side 100m stretch north of river which is dangerous for children to swim but parents continue to ignore the warnings. Dog owners should have the right to enjoy a small section if beach without very few but loud dog haters.

Dip about 3 years ago

The bike path along the river ends at the beach so in order to get to the boardwalk you have to cross through the car park which is hard with Kids on scooters, bikes and walking. We need a better connected path right through without dodging cars.
It would also be good to have a path around the outside of the beach park so you don’t have to go through the playground.
Rubbish is always a problem on the weekends. Bins overflow so my friends and I pick up rubbish on Mondays to keep our beach clean. We need help to keep it clean as there’s more visitors now.
Maybe someone could fix the Carrum deadly intersection while they’re there.... so many near misses in front of me from poor driving and signals. Left hand turn into McLeod from station is a disaster. Longer wait that the old crossing.
Thank you!

Jane J about 3 years ago

No commercial development on the foreshore. More cycle paths, clean beaches.

KerryAnn about 3 years ago

Would really like to see more shade trees on the riverbank, better still more date palms like the other side of the river. Also seating at intervals along the lower banks where you can sit at the waters edge or go fishing. It's a very bare and uninviting riverbank.

Lynette Lee about 3 years ago

It is difficult to have faith that anything from the proposed plan will actually be implemented. The 'Pride of the Bay' report and plan was completed nearly 20 years ago and the 'Pride' of Mordialloc has only further deteriorated and lost most of its heritage value. The heritage beach promenade along the foreshore between Mentone and Parkdale should be one of the premier coastal promenades in metropolitan Melbourne. Unfortunately it isn't - as NO basic maintenance ever takes place - for example; missing rocks from the retaining walls, drains and weep points clogged with weeds resulting in flooded paths and sand covering the path making it difficult for seniors, parents with prams and people with disabilities to utilise. Numerous maintenance requests to council - all result in nothing! If this promenade was maintained and had some solar lighting it would be one of the municipal's major attractions. Finally 'mysterious removal' of vegetation opposite new developments along Beach Road is still happening, it is time these Developers were held to account for this illegal vandalism of the remaining precious coastal vegetation.

Tony Falkingham about 3 years ago
Page last updated: 23 May 2023, 10:00 AM