Victorian community groups receive funding to help protect Port Phillip Bay’s biodiversity

Port Phillip Bay is home to over 10,000 species of marine life, making it one of Victoria’s most important ecosystems and a major tourist destination supporting recreational activities such as swimming, fishing and snorkelling.

The Victorian Government has awarded $1.6 million to help protect the biodiversity of Port Phillip Bay with the latest round of funding supporting a wide range of community groups including not-for-profit organisations, schools and Traditional Owner groups to deliver 28 projects - improving the Port Phillip Bay’s health, habitat and wildlife.

Victorian Minister for Environment Ingrid Stitt advised “we’re supporting the important work of volunteers and community groups who are passionate about protecting one of Victoria’s most treasured ecosystems.

“Port Phillip Bay is facing a range of environmental pressures and this funding will help groups and researchers who are tackling problems including pollution and climate change.”

“Victoria is fortunate to have so many dedicated volunteers and not-for-profit groups that are working hard to preserve our marine and coastal environments.”

Grants of up to $100,000 were available for innovative, large-scale projects, while smaller projects received up to $25,000 to directly benefit the coastal and marine environments of the bay.

The funding will allow Deakin University to restore the bay’s golden kelp forests and plant thousands of indigenous flora along the Frankston and Mornington Peninsula foreshores.

Since 2016, the Port Phillip Bay Fund has provided more than $13.71 million in grants across 187 projects which includes reef restoration, marine life monitoring, water quality improvements and litter control.

The Fund is in line with the State Government’s Port Phillip Bay Environmental Management Plan 2027 which aims to keep the bay’s biodiversity healthy and resilient over the coming decade.

For more information on the strategy, please visit marineandcoasts.vic.gov.au/marine-and-coastal-knowledge/port-phillip-bay.

Image. Snorkelling with Seals at Chinamans Hat Port Phillip Bay. Credit: Parks Victoria