A row of modern two-storey houses overlooking a lagoon at Cheetham wetlands. There is a duck sitting on the water and the sky is blue.

Looking across Port Phillip Bay from the Western Treatment Plant. There is green scrub on the foreshore and the sky is cloudy.

Project context

The Port Phillip Bay western shoreline is a unique part of the bay landscape with diverse marine and coastal values. These include Traditional Owner values and connection to country, internationally significant ecosystems such as Ramsar listed wetlands, parks and reserves, and a marine sanctuary.

The area is home to key facilities such as the Werribee agriculture precinct, Western Treatment Plant, oil refineries, Avalon Airport, and strategic national defence sites. It is also one of the fastest growing populations in Victoria.

Sea level rise projections show this area faces some of the highest risk for flooding of residential and industrial land across Victoria’s coast.

Port Phillip Bay Western Shoreline RASP project extent

A map showing the Port Phillip Bay Western Shoreline Regional and Strategic Partnership project area, ranging from Williamstown near Melbourne to Limeburners Bay near Geelong

The Regional and Strategic Partnership (RASP)

The Port Phillip Bay Western Shoreline RASP has been established to respond to current and future coastal hazard impacts (including erosion, flooding and other hazards) across the region. The 9 RASP partners are:

  • Bunurong Land Council Aboriginal Corporation
  • Wadawurrung Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation
  • City of Greater Geelong
  • Hobsons Bay City Council
  • Wyndham City Council
  • Melbourne Water
  • Parks Victoria
  • Corangamite Catchment Management Authority
  • Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action.

The Coastal Hazard Adaptation and Resilience Plan (CHARP)

Together, the RASP partners will develop a Coastal Hazard Adaptation and Resilience Plan (CHARP).

The plan will address the impacts of erosion, flooding and other hazards, and provide long-term strategic guidance on management, decision making and investment. It will cover marine and coastal areas from Greenwich Reserve in Williamstown to Limeburners Bay/Hovells Creek Estuary north of Geelong.

The plan will be refined by 2026 and implemented by the RASP partners in following years.

A CHARP will identify shared priority actions, funding, roles and responsibilities, change management, triggers for review and a monitoring plan. The CHARP development will follow Victoria’s Resilient Coast framework and guidelines, Victoria’s Resilient Coast – Adapting for 2100+.

Project stages

Stage 1 (2022–23)

Refinement of the RASP purpose and scope of the CHARP.

Stages 2–3 (2024 onwards)

Technical, engagement and strategic studies with oversight from the RASP partners to progress the adaptation planning process.

Communication and engagement is a core part of the adaptation planning process. During 2024 and 2025, RASP partners and the broader community will explore topics to inform coastal hazard adaptation for the area, including:

  • community values, usage and enjoyment of the western shoreline
  • perceived threats to these values and uses
  • what the community hopes to see in the future
  • ideas, perspectives and preferences that may enable us to adapt and increase our resilience.

Updates will be provided through RASP partner organisations and on this page.

Page last updated: 07/05/24