Program overview

In 2024, the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA) began acquiring privately owned, vacant land in the Ninety Mile Beach area that was not acquired through previous voluntary acquisition programs run by Wellington Shire Council.

If you are a landowner, you will receive a letter when DEECA is interested in acquiring your land. The process will take years due to the number of lots to be acquired.

We will keep you informed as the program progresses. DEECA is also running an Expression of Interest process for landowners who wish for their property to be prioritised for acquisition.

Land with existing use rights is not included in this acquisition program. This means any existing homes in the acquisition area will not be affected.

Ninety Mile Beach subdivision

The Ninety Mile Beach subdivision is a 25-kilometre strip of land between Bass Strait and Lake Reeve in East Gippsland.

From 1955 to 1969, the land was subdivided into about 11,800 small lots before the introduction of modern planning controls. Much of the landscape is environmentally sensitive and, in some areas, at risk of flooding, erosion and bushfire. The land also has known cultural heritage values.

From 2011 until 2021, Wellington Shire Council ran voluntary assistance or transfer schemes to acquire this land. Compulsory acquisition of the land was completed, where landowners could not be identified after thorough searches.

Some community members were concerned about this process and the future of the land. This prompted them to contact the Victorian Ombudsman, who agreed to investigate.

Victorian Ombudsman's investigation

The 2019 Ombudsman’s investigative report recommended that land acquisition is required to resolve the issues created by the inappropriate subdivisions.

It was suggested that acquisition of the land by the Victorian Government will provide the most benefit to the public, the environment, Traditional Owners, and the landholders.

The Minister for Environment agreed that the Victorian Government is the most appropriate body to manage this process, which is why DEECA (formerly DELWP) has taken over the process from Wellington Shire Council.

Read the Ombudsman’s full report.

The future

Once acquired, the land will be managed consistently with the neighbouring Gippsland Lakes Coastal Park for its protection and public enjoyment. This land will likely be jointly managed by Parks Victoria and the Gunaikurnai. A small number of lots may be reserved for public purposes such as public utilities, road reserves and other community uses.

By managing the land in this way, the following benefits will be delivered to the community:

  • protection for biodiversity and habitat, including internationally significant waterfowl habitat, coastal dune scrub, coastal banksia woodland and other native vegetation
  • over 500 hectares of land for set aside for the environment and public enjoyment
  • protection for cultural heritage and support for Gunaikurnai aspirations for the management of Country
  • the land can be managed to reduce bushfire risk and thus improve overall community safety.

Wellington Shire Council

Wellington Shire Council is no longer acquiring land in the Ninety Mile Beach area. Any enquiries relating to land acquisition should be directed to DEECA.

CarbonNet

CarbonNet is a proposed carbon transport and storage project which will be situated in the Ninety Mile Beach area. If you would like more information about the CarbonNet project, please visit their website.

You can contact the CarbonNet project team on 1800 878 968 or email carbonnet.info@.ecodev.vic.gov.au

GB Energy

GB Energy is developing the Golden Beach Energy Storage Project to provide gas supply and storage infrastructure. The project is located in the Ninety Mile Beach area.

If you would like more information about the GB Energy project, please visit their website at www.gbenergy.com.au. You can contact the GB Energy project team on 1800 423 637 or email info@gbenergy.com.au

Contact us

If you want to talk to someone or wish to register your Expression of Interest, you can call DEECA’s Customer Contact Centre at 136 186 or email at customer.service@deeca.vic.gov.au

If you need assistance in your preferred language, please contact the Translating and Interpreting Service on 131 450 and ask to be connected to the DEECA Customer Service line on 136 186.

Further information

Page last updated: 11/09/25