2025 - 2030 Coastal and Marine Management Plan
Have Your Say: Coastal and Marine Management Plan Consultation
Whitecliffs Foreshore Reserve is developing a new Coastal & Marine Management Plan (CMMP) and Camping Masterplan (CM). We need your input to help protect our unique coastline, enhance the facilities and services and ensure the plans reflect the needs and aspirations of our diverse community and deliver in our vision of:
‘ A resilient coastal reserve that values natural and cultural heritage, strengthens land-sea connections and inspires stewardship through meaningful outdoor experiences to create a lasting legacy for future generations’.
The CMMP is a strategic framework for managing marine and coastal Crown Land, balancing recreation, environmental protection, cultural heritage, and long-term sustainability. The update addresses eight focus areas: camping, environment, visitation, cultural heritage, water-based recreation, climate resilience, commercial operations and community engagement.
We have developed a series of surveys for the CMMP focus areas below and encourage you to complete the ones that are important to you.
How You Can Get Involved:
Complete the online surveys located on this page - there are surveys for each section of the CMMP - allowing you to choose which parts are important for you to give feedback on.
Attend our community consultation sessions - Dates TBD
Key Topics for Discussion:
Environmental conservation and biodiversity
Access and recreational opportunities
Sustainable infrastructure and amenities
These are available for discussion in the below surveys covering:
Environment
Visitation
Camping
Water Based Recreation
Commercial
The WhiteCliffs to Camerons Bight Foreshore Reserve is shaped by a deep and ongoing connection to Country, with a rich cultural heritage that must be recognised and protected. Our Cultural Heritage Strategy Area prioritises the respectful management of significant sites, guided by Traditional Owners, and ensures that future works and activities on the reserve acknowledge and preserve this heritage.
At the same time, the Climate Change Strategy Area addresses the growing challenges of coastal erosion, rising sea levels, and increasing storm intensity. Our approach is proactive, balancing conservation with responsible adaptation to safeguard the reserve for future generations.
To support informed decision-making, we have developed a series of position papers that outline our stance on key issues within these strategy areas. These papers provide background, context, and the guiding principles behind our approach. While they are available for public reference, and will serve as foundational documents that will shape the implementation of the 2025–2030 Coastal and Marine Management Plan.
Cultural Heritage Position Paper
Climate Change Position Paper
Together, we can create a plan that balances the needs of our community with the health and sustainability of our coastal and marine environment.
The demand for camping has never been higher, with a record-breaking 15.3 million caravan and camping trips taken in Australia in 2023, generating over $14.3 billion in revenue. WhiteCliffs remains a highly sought-after destination, celebrated for its stunning coastal environment and proximity to Port Phillip.
With this popularity comes a shared responsibility to preserve our natural assets while ensuring a memorable experience for all campers. While current constraints mean we can’t increase the number of campsites and must restrict parking to one car per site during peak periods, we’re eager to hear your ideas for improvement.
Your feedback will help us enhance amenities, streamline services, and ensure the natural beauty of WhiteCliffs is protected for years to come.
With visitor numbers continuing to grow and increasing pressures on the reserve we’re seeking your feedback as a visitor to help us to:
Understand visitor needs and expectations to improve your experience.
Support sustainable tourism and provide appropriate facilities and recreation initiatives that protect and enhance the area’s unique coastal environment and cultural heritage
Foster harmony between visitors and campers by balancing interests and managing interactions
Whitecliffs Foreshore Reserve is home to an array of remarkable environmental features, including: Remnant moonah woodlands, with trees up to 500 years old.Unique native orchid species and Stunning beaches and diverse coastal ecosystems.
With growing demand for outdoor spaces as people reconnect with nature, the reserve is under increasing pressure from residents, day visitors, overnight guests, and campers. Your feedback will help us identify what you value most about this environment, the challenges it faces, and how we can better protect and enhance its unique features.
WFR is self-funding. While it currently supports several leases and licences including the Blairgowrie Yacht Squadron, Camerons Bight Boat Club and boatshed licenses, camping revenue drives the majority of the management, operations and maintenance costs.
When carefully planned and professionally managed, commercial activities can enhance visitor experiences, provide access to specialised services and generate revenue to maintain the reserve. We’re looking to explore new commercial opportunities that:
Align with our vision and commitment to sustainability
Minimise our environmental footprint
Encourage year-round community use
Provide more experiences and opportunities for campers and visitors to connect
With increasing visitor numbers and a growing demand for water-based recreation, it is essential to understand how people engage with the coastline, what challenges they face, and how we can improve safety and accessibility while protecting our unique coastal values.
By sharing your experiences, challenges and ideas you can help shape the future of water-based recreation at Whitecliffs Foreshore Reserve. Your input will guide improvements in safety, zoning and facilities while ensuring the reserve remains a well-managed, accessible and enjoyable destination for all.
By participating in this survey, you are helping to create a more inclusive, vibrant and well-managed coastal environment—one that empowers local residents, visitors, and future generations to enjoy, protect and enhance this treasured space.
Your feedback will help us:
Strengthen community connections to the reserve
Enhance recreational opportunities
Explore partnerships for camper, visitor and community engagement and environmental education
Improve facilities and programs, including ranger-led education and seasonal activities