Beachside communities will now have safer access to coastal areas thanks to the Victorian Government’s $500,000 Coastal Public Access and Risk Grants program.

A total of 12 coastal Crown land managers will receive grants of up to $80,000 each to develop and implement projects that reduce coastal risk and improve public access.

Successful projects include:

• Port Phillip: Merricks Beach Foreshore Reserve Committee of Management – $80,000 for safety improvements to foreshore access paths at Merricks Beach
• Gippsland: Loch Sport Foreshore Committee of Management – $48,000 to realign a foreshore walking track at Seagull Drive and The Boulevard
• Barwon South West: Barwon Coast Committee of Management – $50,000 to renew Hodgson St. beach access with a pedestrian ramp.

Funding will also be used for works such as renewing fencing, rebuilding access tracks, repairing coastal structures, geotechnical risk assessments and coastal erosion mitigations.

The Coastal Public Access and Risk Grants program is funded by the Government through the $2.7 billion Building Works package that is supporting jobs and investment across Victoria and helping local communities bounce back from the economic impacts of the Coronavirus.

Through the Building Works package, the Government is delivering more than $11 million to safeguard marine and coastal environments from the impacts of climate change, including $3 million for coastal infrastructure in Apollo Bay.

For a full list of grant recipients visit marineandcoasts.vic.gov.au

Quotes attributable to Minister for Energy, Environment and Climate Change Lily D’Ambrosio

“Those who manage our coastline across Victoria play a vital role in ensuring the community can access and enjoy this beautiful part of our state safely, both now and into the future.”

“These grants will make coastal environments and beaches safer while supporting local jobs. These works represent a big win for communities and the environment.”