Since 2016, the Port Phillip Bay fund has provided more than $13.71 million in grants across 187 projects in and around the Bay. This is a very important funding as Port Phillip Bay is one of Victoria’s most precious natural assets. It is amongst Melbourne’s most important ecosystems with many plant and animal species living in the Bay. Port Phillip Bay also supports:

  • recreational fishing and tourism
  • one of Australia's busiest ports
  • over 4.5 million people living and working in the area.

The Fund supports government strategies including:

These strategies, along with on-ground community action are essential to safeguarding and caring for Port Phillip Bay.

If you have questions about the Port Phillip Bay Fund grant program, email our Port Phillip Bay Fund program team or phone our Customer Contact Centre on 136 186.

2023 Port Phillip Bay Fund Successful Applicants

The 2023 Port Phillip Bay Fund Round provided more than $1.6 million in grants to support 28 projects.

Applicant

Project

Grant

Bellarine Bayside Foreshore Committee of Management Incorporated

Inclusive cultural & environmental education opportunities on the Bellarine

This project aims to educate community members about the cultural and environmental values of Port Phillip Bay and the surrounding areas through on-ground, inclusive environmental activities.$12,100

$12,200
Bellarine North Rotary Club

Indented Head weed eradication and replanting

In this project, invasive weed species will be removed from an area on the Bellarine Peninsula and will be replanted with endemic species.

$2,800


Bunurong Land Council Aboriginal Corporation in collaboration with Trust for Natur

Bunurong Warreen Beek course and Training and Development

This project includes the continuation of Certificate III in Conservation and Ecosystem Management for First Nations Students and capacity building of Bunurong Land council Green Team.

N/A

Deakin University

Improving Ocean Literacy in Port Phillip Bay Primary Schools

This project will improve children’s ocean literacy, stewardship and awareness of this important ecosystem within local communities. Ocean literacy resource kits will be provided to 100 primary schools located within 5km of the Bay.

$89,265

Deakin University

Kelping the Bay: future proofing the Golden Kelp

Kelp forests are key to the health and function of marine ecosystems, however, several kelp species such as Ecklonia radiata (Golden Kelp) have suffered declines due to habitat disturbance. This project will establish a long-term seedbank to preserve local genetic diversity and provide biological material for restoration.

$90,721

Deakin University

Mapping Port Phillip Bay biodiversity with Traditional Owners using eDNA

This project will (a) provide training and certification in environmental DNA sampling methods for Bunurong and Wadawurrung Traditional Owners and (b) enable Traditional Owner-led biodiversity mapping around Port Phillip Bay. This project will build local capacity in biodiversity assessment, crucial for management of the Bay.

$99,055
Dromana Foreshore Committee of Management Inc.

Dromana Marine Coastal Environment and community engagement project Stage 2

In this project, extensive invasive weed species will be removed in gully/watercourse areas at LaTrobe Reserve Dromana. Additionally, the Connection to Country Program at Dromana Primary School will be expanded, with guided cultural field trips through the Reserve from Traditional Owner organisation Living Culture.

$15,626
Eco Warriors Australia Inc.

Planting the Seed: Helping Schoolchildren to Create a Living Classroom

The project will engage school students in revegetation and monitoring of degraded coastal vegetation in local parks and reserves.  These activities will be carried out in conjunction with an Indigenous representative to provide links to the cultural history of native plants.

$7,307
Frankston Beach Association Inc.

Fiocchi Ave to Allawah Ave Revegetation Project STAGE 2

The primary objective of this project is to rehabilitate degraded coastal dune through weeding and revegetation. New plantings will strengthen remnant flora and provide a contiguous corridor of vegetation habitat for native fauna.

$12,675
Friends of Williams Road Beach

Protection and Education of Foreshore Habitat and Cultural Heritage

This project involves weeding, revegetation, and building on previous midden protection works. In addition, educational sessions will be held for scouts and other community members focusing on environmental responsibility and cultural awareness.

$16,340
Hobsons Bay City Council

Bunurong cultural awareness and coastal habitat restoration

The project will engage with the Bunurong Land Council to provide community cultural engagement sessions. Fragments of coastal vegetation will be restored including key habitat plants such Tangled Lignum and local providence River Red Gums.

$34,000
Jane Goodall Institute Australia Limited

Mud Island Conservation Project: Jane Goodall Institute Australia

Trained youth environmental volunteers and Parks Victoria staff will visit Mud Island to remove the invasive sea spurge before it is able to significantly disrupt seabird nesting sites.

$5,500
La Trobe University

Fish microbiomes: first line of defence against pollution

Fish microbiomes form the first line of defence in protecting fish from pollutants and respond rapidly to contamination events. However, our understanding of what affect pollutants have on fish microbiomes is still limited. This project will investigate fish microbiomes and potential impacts of pollutants.

$95,600
McCrae Homestead Coastal Group Inc.

Keeping woody weeds at bay at McCrae            

In this project, the length of the McCrae foreshore between the Lighthouse and Anthonys Nose will be weeded and revegetated with native plants for dune control. Additionally, invasive sea spurge will be monitored and removed, an increasing issue along McCrae beach.

$24,980
Monash University

Investigating chemical contaminants in stormwater for a healthier bay

Working collaboratively with local communities and a water corporation, in this project a water monitoring and sampling program will be set up to gain a better understanding of the sources of nitrogen in stormwater and its impact on the health of the Bay.

$99,619
Mornington Peninsula and Western Port Biosphere Reserve Foundation Ltd

Healing Water Country - Revillaging Project, Boneo - Port Phillip Bay

In this project, First Nations principals will be integrated into the design and implementation of the re-creation, realignment and restoration of wetlands on private property’s entering Tootgarook Wetland catchment and Port Phillip Bay.

$100,000
Nepean Conservation Group Inc.

Stewardship of the Bay: conserving the coastal environment - Portsea to Rye

Working with the Mornington Peninsula Shire, volunteers and contractors will conduct on-ground coastal bushland management works to remove weeds and improve the overall extent and condition of the area’s natural ecosystems by restoring habitat and replanting.

$24,934
Port Phillip EcoCentre

Beachkeepers of the Bay

Port Phillip EcoCentre established the Beachkeepers pilot program in the City of Port Phillip to engage locals in on-ground coastal protection and monitoring. This expanded program will add sites from Altona to Frankston to engage local communities in citizen science and Coastcare activities.

$99,980
Port Phillip EcoCentre

Plastic Free Bay

In this project, councils, industry partners and citizen-science community groups will collaborate to detect and prevent plastic pollutants from entering Port Phillip Bay. Generally underreported, microplastics from drain filters, rivers and coastlines will be collected, analysed and compared to prior datasets.

$100,000
RMIT University

Development of an Autonomous Marine Monitoring System for Community Groups

The project will build and test an autonomous monitoring system for community groups to remotely monitor the physical and chemical water attributes (such as temperature and salinity) affecting habitats in Port Phillip Bay in real time.

$25,000
Safety Beach Foreshore Landscape Committee Incorporated

Safety Beach Coastal Erosion Mitigation Project Stage 2

This project aims to stabilise the heavily eroded dune bank in the project area, create new habitats and reduce stormwater runoff into Port Phillip Bay through removal of invasive weed species and revegetation.

$14,478
South Melbourne Market, City of Port Phillip

South Melbourne Market Shell Recycling Initiative

The Shuck Don't Chuck project sees oyster, mussel and scallop shells from South Melbourne Market recycled in partnership with The Nature Conservancy (TNC). TNC will use the shells to rebuild the lost shellfish reefs in Port Phillip Bay, thereby diverting shellfish waste from landfill.

$25,000
Southern Ocean Environmental Link Inc.

Port Phillip Bay Pollution Project

The aim of this project is to remove emerging pollutants from Southern Port Phillip Bay using harbour filters. Deakin University citizen scientists will collect data to estimate the distribution of microplastics in the bay, and education experiences will be provided to engage students in citizen science initiatives supporting the Bay's health.

$100,000
Southern Ocean Environmental Link Inc.

Great Southern Reef Camera Network (GSRCN) Development Project

The project will introduce AI to aid in monitoring biodiversity. It will create engaging content to raise awareness of the key species and their behavioural traits and develop and launch educational downloads aligned to the Victorian curriculum.

$25,000
The University of Melbourne

Assessing and reducing night-time lighting impacts on marine and coastal animals

This project will assess the pervasiveness of artificial light at night along the foreshores and coastal waters of Port Phillip Bay; to monitor the impact of this pollutant on marine and coastal animals; and identify actions for coastal land managers to reduce these impacts.

$95,491
Victorian National Parks Association

Pop-up on-ground Marine Citizen Science

This project will address the challenge of inclement weather and poor water quality that frequently hampers in-water on-ground volunteering.

$35,800
Wadawurrung Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation in collaboration with Trust for Nature

Working together on the Bellarine Peninsula to make Country good

Wadawurrung Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation’s (WTOAC’s) NRM Team in partnership with Trust for Nature will carry out on-ground conservation works on Wadawurrung Country on the Bellarine Peninsula.

N/A
Wathaurong Aboriginal Co-operative in collaboration with Deakin University

Wathaurong Building Capacity for Engagement in Seaweed Management on Country

Wathaurong Aboriginal Co-op supported by Deakin University aims to build capacity within their community to further conserve and share their traditional knowledge of seaweeds, as well as build capacity of Aboriginal community members to participate in the regeneration of cultural knowledge of seaweed for future generations.

N/A

2021-22 Port Phillip Bay Fund

The 2021-22 Port Phillip Bay Fund Round provided more than $1.7 million in grants to support 25 projects.

Applicants

Project

Grants

Port Phillip EcoCentre

Activating secondary teachers and students as Bay Care Leaders

This project delivers a free professional development course for secondary school geography teachers, building capacity for youth-led environmental volunteering and practical fieldwork in the Port Phillip Bay area.

$24,950

Swan Bay Environment Association

Enhancing Swan Bay Saltmarsh & Coastal Shrub: Cultural connections

This project aims to increase understanding of the ecological and cultural significance of saltmarsh and coastal scrub.

$24,385

Beach Patrol Australia Inc

Empowering communities to reduce litter pollution in Port Phillip Bay

This project aims to increase local action to reduce plastic pollution and use of innovative litter collection data. Volunteer groups will expand their role in collecting data through the LitterStopper app which feeds into DELWP's Litterwatch.

$25,000

McCrae Homestead Coastal Group Inc

Community engagement in marine, shoreline and coastal activities

This project aims to deliver a Discovery Day for families in the Port Phillip Bay area. Activities on the day include a shoreline shell survey, teaching marine species identification, and a microplastics audit.

$9,245

Frankston Beach Association

Fiocchi Ave to Allawah Ave revegetation project

This project is to restore eroded coastal dune, through weed removal and planting of 5500 species of native coastal dune plants.

$10,550

Dromana Foreshore CoM Inc

Dromana Marine Coastal Environment enhancement and community engagement project

This project involves weeding of LaTrobe Reserve, Dromana, particularly the major infestations of Vinca major (Periwinkle) in the gully and watercourse areas. Additionally, the Connection to Country program at Dromana Primary School will be expanded.

$15,000

Port Phillip EcoCentre

G’day Bay Action day! Bay-care with multicultural communities

This project is to engage with culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) volunteers to care for the Bay. Activities include free bay-care excursions for migrant students, a multicultural bay ambassadors internship program and a nature guide to incorporate biodiversity into English as an Additional Language (EAL) curriculums.

$100,000

Parks Victoria

Promoting the recovery of lost kelp forest in the Bay's marine sanctuaries

This project is to engage community volunteers and experts from Parks Victoria to increase urchin management and the recovery of kelp forests.

$99,600

Werribee River Keeper

Werribee South Intensive Agriculture Precinct stormwater and runoff monitoring

The project will monitor stormwater and agricultural run-off in two locations in Werribee South, to better understand the quality of water entering the Werribee River and Port Phillip Bay. The data will inform long-term evaluation of nature-based interventions in managing run-off.

$100,000

Port Phillip EcoCentre

PestWatch! All eyes on the Bay

This project is to address marine pest management, by building community expertise, increasing volunteer capabilities for pest reporting, removal, and data collection, and by expanding marine pest expertise networks.

$96,626

University of Melbourne

Multifunctional oyster reef restoration

This project is to restore a modular oyster reef habitat, easing urban shoreline habitat loss, erosion, and flooding, while also providing increased social and cultural value.

$97,188

Frankston City Council

Keast Park - Coastal Habitat Improvement and Shoreline Monitoring

This project is to protect and increase existing coastal vegetation, while engaging the community through planting days and citizen science shoreline monitoring.

$58,000

Deakin University

Movement patterns of Port Phillip Bay's sharks and rays

This project is to investigate the movement ecology and habitat use of sharks and rays  species in the Bay via acoustic tracking, collecting information for the safeguarding of future populations.

$100,000

Yarra River Keeper

Reducing microplastics in Melbourne's rivers and The Port Phillip Bay

This project is to install 10 microplastic litter traps, with citizen scientists helping to monitor, collect, and document the results.

$99,136

Victorian National Parks Association

Underwater weeding expanded

This underwater weeding project aims to recruit and train volunteer recreational divers in the removal of Undaria, an introduced algae.

$98,100

RMIT University

Establishing a baseline of Bay condition: pollutants and ecological indicators

This project aims to analyse sediment contamination in Port Phillip Bay and then assess the bay’s microbiome composition, to determine if contamination is affecting key microbial processes like nitrogen cycling. This information is critical for managing Bay health.

$62,572

Stonnington City Council

Grange Rd Wetlands Sediment and Vegetation Management

The project involves removal of sediment build-up and overgrown vegetation at Stonnington’s Grange Road Wetlands. The clean-up will increase the wetlands effectiveness in treating urban stormwater runoff and help keep Port Phillip Bay healthy.

$39,532

Trust For Nature

Coastal Action Support

This project aims to increase the quality of the existing coastal reserve by working with private landholders to improve conservation. Activities include pest control and climate change informed revegetation.

$80,000

Friends of the Beleura Cliff Path

Beleura Cliff Path Bottom Section Weed and Plant

Under this project, volunteers will continue to re-vegetate the Beleura Cliff Path corridor, clearing weeds and planting indigenous plant seedlings.

$46,550

Earthcare St Kilda

Establishing a population monitoring program for the St Kilda Penguins

This project is to develop a new long-term monitoring program of St Kilda’s iconic little penguin colony, which is less invasive, more accurate and still allows members of the community to volunteer in the program.

$41,790

Threatened Species Conservancy

Holding space for Rakali: Community gatherings uniting Arts & Science

Nairm/Port Phillip Bay protects an important rakali population. Culturally led by the Indigenous Advisory Group and the Elders in Residence at the Footscray Arts Center, this project will produce a habitat assessment to determine a key site to restore rakali numbers, informed by community surveys.

$99,600

Wurundjeri Woi Wurung Cultural Heritage Aboriginal Council in collaboration with Melbourne Water

Wurundjeri Immersive Moonee Ponds Creek

The Wurundjeri Immersive Trail project at Moonee Ponds Creek aims to collaborate, design and install interactive signs along the trail, showcasing the rich Aboriginal culture of the area through interpretive media such as sounds, video, sculpture and signage.

NA

Bunurong Land Council Aboriginal Corporation in collaboration with Trust For Nature

a) The Warreen Beek Rangers course is to provide an accredited Certificate III in Conservation & Ecosystem Management for Bunurong and First Nation people.
B) Caring for Bunurong land and sea countryThis project is to support Bunurong Natural Resource Management Team to complete coastal activities around the Bunurong areas of Port Phillip Bay including weed control, aquatic pest control and midden preservation actions.

NA

Wadda Wurung Aboriginal Corporation in collaboration with Deakin University

Sea Grass Traditional use with Wadda Wurrung Aboriginal Group

Learning about the traditional use of Sea Grass from the Elders and develop teaching materials for young aboriginal students

NA

Boonwurrung Land and Sea Council

Awakening Port Phillip Bay

a) Policy - cultural indicators to inform the regeneration of Nairm/Port Phillip Bay
b) Knowledge & Training- Intergenerational collaboration on a Virtual Elder App

NA

2020-21 Port Phillip Bay Fund

The 2021 Port Phillip Bay Fund provided nearly $1 million in grants to support 26 projects.

Applicant

Project Name

Project Summary

Balcombe Estuary Reserves Group Mt Martha IncCollaborating to Protect Mount Martha's Vulnerable Coast Woodlands (EVC2)

This project aims to increase the habitat and health of Mount Martha foreshore. It will protect and promote biodiversity through weed removal and revegetation.

Bellarine Bayside Foreshore Committee of ManagementHabitat Restoration for the future of Bellarine Red-capped Plover Colonies.

This project seeks to protect red-capped plovers. The project will include:

  • community engagement and education
  • monitoring and data collection
  • habitat improvement.
Bellarine Catchment NetworkCaring For Our Bays: Culturally Connected Communities

Partnering with the Wadawurrung Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation, this project is an education program that involves traditional language, perspectives, and values.

Capel Sounds Foreshores Committee of Management w/ Capel Sounds Educational Child Care Centre Children on the Bay: Foreshore Care, Education and Conservation ProjectThis project brings together five educational providers and community groups. It aims to encourage children's cultural understanding and care of the bay.
Deakin UniversityProtecting cultural heritage and restoring a threatened ecosystem at Point Lillias

This project is in partnership with Wadawurrung Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation, volunteer groups, and other organisations. It will carry out weed surveys and weed control. It aims to protect cultural heritage sites and benefit native biodiversity.

Deakin UniversityRestoration of an urban coastal wetland informed through citizen science researchWith citizen scientists from Friends of Truganina Wetland, the Blue Carbon Lab will carry out restoration of Truganina Swamp. This will be based on an initial feasibility assessment. An ongoing volunteer team will monitor Truganina Wetland and Laverton Creek bank.
Deakin UniversitySaltmarsh restoration and monitoring utilising citizen scientistsThis project will use low-cost fencing to restore degraded farmland back to saltmarsh. A study will follow where citizen scientists, using remote sensing methods, will help monitor the saltmarsh habitat.
Deakin UniversityRevealing the habits of Port Phillip Bay’s iconic spider crabs

Using citizen science, this project will look at spider crabs in the Bay.  Community engagement will grow the public’s role in caring for the Bay.

Frankston Beach AssociationFiocchi Ave Foreshore Revegetation ProjectThis project will restore approximately 3,700m2 of degraded coastal dune through weed removal and revegetation.
Hobsons Bay City CouncilCalcarenite dune woodland restoration

This project will improve calcarenite dune woodland, coastal sedgeland, saltmarsh and coastal grassland habitat. Activities include weed control and revegetation.

Hobsons Bay City CouncilMigratory bird protection program

This project will reduce disturbance to migrating birds through improved infrastructure. Revegetation and rehabilitation will improve habitat and reduce coastal erosion.

Hobsons Bay City CouncilAltona Coastal Park woodland and saltmarsh restoration (Banksia junction)

This project will restore local coastal woodland and dry saltmarsh. It will also direct people away from mudflats, to protect bird feeding areas.

McCrae Homestead Coastal GroupProtecting McCrae's Coast Banksia Woodland

This project will remove woody weed species throughout coast banksia woodland at McCrae foreshore.

Merri Creek Management Committee inc.Building up the banks at Brunswick

This project aims to stabilise certain banks of Merri Creek, through revegetation.  Community groups and tertiary students will be educated on healthy stream and bay maintenance.

Mornington Environment Association w/ Friends of Beleura Cliff PathBeleura Cliff and Beach: re-vegetation, mycorrhizal fungi, heritage.

This project plans to revegetate the Beleura Cliff and beach with threatened native plants. It will also work with Bunurong Land Council Aboriginal Corporation on cultural heritage signage.

Mount Eliza Association for Environmental Care w/ Friends of Williams Road Beach Reserve Further restoration of foreshore and vulnerable bay habitats: ongoing revegetation and education.

This volunteer-led restoration project includes weed removal and midden protection. Education sessions will train scouts in cultural heritage and indigenous habitat protection.

Nepean Conservation Group IncStewardship of the Bay: conserving coastal habitat - Portsea to Rye

The Nepean Conservation Group will work with Mornington Peninsula Shire, volunteers, and contractors. They will remove woody weeds, scramblers and other weeds.

Port Phillip EcoCentreBay Protection: Community Rapid Response Task Force

Northern pacific sea stars are a pest species.  This project will establish a network for rapid community responses to outbreaks. It will assess if this method can be scaled for other marine pests.

Remember The WildBay country - Bunurong stories of culture, place, and connection

In partnership with the Bunurong Land Council Aboriginal Corporation, this project will facilitate Bunurong digital storytelling through short films.

Safety Beach Foreshore Landscape Committee IncorporatedSafety Beach Coastal Erosion Mitigation Project

This project aims to stabilise the heavily eroded dune bank. Through weed removal and revegetation, it will help reduce storm impacts and create habitat for native bird nesting.

Swan Bay Environment AssociationEnhancing Swan Bay saltmarsh and coastal scrub habitats: Phase 1 On-ground works to improve understanding of ecological significance.

This project partners with the Wadawurrung Traditional Owners and the Marine and Freshwater Discovery Centre. It will develop an educational garden showing the ecological and cultural significance of salt marsh and coastal scrub.

The University Of MelbourneCoastSnap for Port Philip Bay

This project will let community members take photos on their mobiles across a dozen photo sites. These photos will track the position of the shore daily and show how the shoreline is changing.

The University of Melbourne, GeographyAltona Citizen-Science Drones

This project will establish a local citizen-science drone group. Community volunteers will collect data with drones to monitor and understand beach change.

Trust for NatureWarreen Beek Rangers (Year 4)

The Warreen Beek Rangers course provides a Certificate III in Conservation & Land Management for Indigenous Students. The course was designed by Bunurong Land Council Aboriginal Corporation and the Wurundjeri Narrap Team. It is delivered by Trust for Nature in partnership with Holmesglen.

Victorian National Parks AssociationUnderwater weeding; removal of invasive kelp (Undaria pinnatifida) by divers

In this project, divers will be trained in identifying and removing wakame to control its presence and reduce its spread.

Yarra Riverkeeper Association IncRegenerating Burnley Harbour for a Healthy Bay

The project focuses on restoring the area opposite Herring Island in Burnley Harbour. The project will remove rubbish and weeds. It will help stabilise banks through native species plantings.

2016-2020 Port Phillip Bay Fund

27 projects received $0.8 million in funding in 2019-20.

Applicant

Project name

Balcombe Estuary Reserves Group Mt Martha

Mt Martha North Coastal Headland Restoration 2019-20

BeachPatrol Australia

Spring Clean The City 2019

Bellarine Catchment (BCN)

Caring For Our Bays - Cultural Connections

Cardi Creek Kids

Troups Creek 2

Conservation Volunteers Australia

Protecting the Point to Protect the Bay

Conservation Volunteers Australia

Using Natures Assets to Protect the Foreshore

Federation of Victorian Traditional Owner Corporations

Development of a Reading Country Program - Bunurong

Federation of Victorian Traditional Owner Corporations

Development of a Reading Country Program - Wurundjeri

Fishcare Victoria Inc

Invading the Bay

Friends of Merri Creek

Sediment Slow Down along the Merri and Edgar's Creeks

Greening Australia Limited

Restoring resilience to important coastal habitat of Limeburner's Lagoon through community participation

Lady Forster Kindergarten Inc

Lady Forster Kindergarten: Revegetation to create an 'Outdoor Classroom'

McCrae Homestead Coastal Group Inc

McCrae and Rosebud Foreshore Restoration

Mornington Environment Association

Mornington Foreshore Restoration

Mornington Peninsula Shire Council

Coastal bio infiltration basin to improve stormwater quality to Port Phillip Bay

Mount Eliza Association for Environmental Care

Ongoing Restoration, Mount Eliza Foreshore

Nepean Conservation Group

Foreshore for all - Police Point to Rye Foreshore Restoration

Port Phillip EcoCentre

Help Save Sam Seadragon: now with added reach

Port Phillip EcoCentre

School Sustainability Festival - Bay Leaders program

Rotary Club of Drysdale Inc

Litter management on the Northern Bellarine

Rye Community House

#2 Minute Beach Clean Boards - Rye

Tangaroa Blue Foundation

Let's Strain the Drains

Victorian Fisheries Authority

Port Phillip Bay’s Spider Crab Aggregations – Natural and Social Values

WhiteCliffs to Camerons Bight Foreshore Reserve Committee of Management

Stormwater Outfall Remediation Project

WhiteCliffs to Camerons Bight Foreshore Reserve Committee of Management

Reducing Polluted Stormwater runoff from Blairgowrie, Flinders & WhiteCliffs

Wyndham City Council

Cleaning Werribee River

Yarra Riverkeeper Association

Styrofoam Pollution; Sources and Solutions

39 projects received $4 million in funding in 2017-18.

Applicant

Project name

A.W.A.R.E (Australian Wildlife Assistance, Rescue and Education) Inc

Waste, Wildlife & Our Waterways

Australian Marine Mammal Conservation Foundation

Bin Not Bay: Education and Community Outreach Programs to Inspire and Empower Bay Health Stewardship

Balcombe Estuary Reserves Group, Mt Martha

Community & Berg Mt Martha Together - Protection, Rehabilitation and Restoration of Coastal Habitat

Bellarine Catchment Network

Caring for our Bays - Connecting Community and Business to the Bay

BirdLife Australia

Avalon Coastal Reserve: Restoring a Forgotten Gem in Port Phillip Bay

Bunurong Land Council Aboriginal Corporation

Indigenous Sea Rangers and Local Government delivering Bay Health objectives

Cardi Creek Kids

Cardi Creek Kids: Creek to Coast

Centre for Aquatic Pollution Identification and Management, The University of Melbourne

The Litter Trackers: Reducing Littering by Education

Community Weed Alliance of the Dandenongs Inc

Monbulk Creek Community Neighborhood Program

Conservation Volunteers Australia

Community Led Foreshore Enhancement

Environment Protection Authority

Swimsafe: Citizen science and sensors to protect bay beaches

Fishcare Victoria Inc

Litter Warriors - Protecting our Bay

Frankston Beach Association Inc

Frankston Beach Association Gould Street/ Beach Street and Gould Street/Palm Court Dune Revegetation Project

Friends of Beware Reef Marine Sanctuary

Discover Port Phillip Heads Marine National Park

Friends of Greenwich Bay

Our Coastline on Melbourne's doorstep

Friends of Westgate Park Inc

Planting and collecting litter along Yarra close to the Bay using community volunteers

Geelong Sustainability Group Inc

Connecting your Bay: using creative media to inspire, empower and motivate

Jawbone Marine Sanctuary Care

Jawbone Marine Sanctuary seagrass ecosystem inventory

Mornington Peninsula Shire

Friends, working together to improve the bay

Mother of God Primary School

The Schools Caring for the Bay Project

OzFish Unlimited

Bay Vision: Recreational fishers restoring the Bay's fish habitats

Port Phillip EcoCentre

Leading the way to protect the Bay: Nerm events for Students and Teachers 14

Port Phillip EcoCentre

Global Melbourne: Empowering diverse residents and visitors to protect our Bay

PrimeSCI!, Swinburne University of Technology

Healthy Rivers, Healthy Bay

Reef Life Survey Inc

Beneath the Bay

Remember The Wild

Connected to Port Phillip Initiative: Bringing People and the Bay Together

Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology

The Plastics Lab: Establishing a free plastics identification facility for Port Philip community groups

School of Geography, The University of Melbourne

Citizen-Science Drones for Bayside Beach Habitat

St Aloysius Primary School

Inspiring Young Marine Science Experts - Stewards of Swan Bay

Tangaroa Blue Foundation

Engaging community, industry and government to reduce plastic resin pellets flowing into Port Phillip Bay

The Nature Conservancy

OysterWatch - Enabling the community to engage in shellfish reef restoration

The Scout Association of Australia Victorian Branch

Street to Bay - Litter Survey of Port Phillip Bay Catchment

Victorian National Parks Association

Broadening and deepening engagement and learning in Port Phillip Bay

Werribee River Association

Litterblitz - raising awareness, partnerships and volunteerism to combat the threat of litter to the bay

Werribee River Association

Bridging troubled waters - linking community groups with pollution tracking technology

White Cliffs to Camerons Bight Foreshore Reserve Committee of Management Inc

Tyrone Foreshore Camping Ground Drainage Upgrade

Wurundjeri Land & Compensation Cultural Heritage Council Aboriginal Corporation

Western Waterways of the Wurundjeri

Yarra Riverkeeper Association

Lower Yarra Reed Bed Blitz Clean

Yarra Riverkeeper Association

The Yarra Catchment Atlas

34 projects received $3.4 million in funding in the 2016-17 Round.

Note: Three approved applicants did not proceed with their project from the original announcement.

Applicant

Project Name

1st/14th Brighton Sea Scouts Venturer Unit

Scout cleanup and audits of beaches for micro-plastics and erosion

A.W.A.R.E (Australian Wildlife Assistance, Rescue and Education) Inc.

Waste, Wildlife & Our Waterways

Balcombe Estuary Reserves Group Mt Martha

Better Bay Water Quality - Balcombe Estuary Riparian Restoration & Improvement, Mt Martha

Balliang Food and Fibre Group

Optimising fertiliser application rates to reduce excess nutrient runoff into the Bay

BeachPatrol Australia

Help Save Sam Seadragon

Bellarine Catchment Network

Caring For Our Bays Phase 2

Black Rock Pre School

Black Rock Pre School Beach Kinde

Conservation Volunteers Australia

RAMSAR Wetland Connectivity and Bay Health Protection through Community Action

Darebin Creek Manaegment Committee

Love Your Creek - Love Your Bay

Department of Environment, Land, Water & Planning

Melbourne’s Multicultural Coastcare / Landcare Team - a first for Victoria

Dolphin Research Institute

Coastal Ambassadors Working for a Healthy and Valued Port Phillip Bay

Farming Moorabool

Teaching materials on how farmers are protecting the Bay through environmental stewardship

Frankston City Council

Bay Friendly Businesses

Friends of Beleura Cliff Path

Restore indigenous vegetation on Beleura Cliff Path

Friends of Merri Creek

Rapid response to litter cleanups after high rainfall

Friends of the Hooded Plover (Mornington Peninsula) Inc

Protective fencing to protect Hooded Plover habitat nests and chicks

Friends of Westgate Park Inc

Community enhancing Westgate Park's wetlands to improve health of Port Phillip Bay

Loci Environment & Place Inc

Our Future City: 'Linking By Design' Competition

Love Our Street

Love Our Street, Creek and Bay - litter reduction program

Melbourne Water

Community Based Litter Action

Melbourne Water

Reducing litter and sediment, and raising awareness in the Tanti Creek catchment

Mornington Peninsula Shire

Restoring Coast Banksia Woodland, across the Mornington Peninsula

Mornington Peninsula Shire

Upgrading Beach Drainage Outlets

Mt. Eliza Association for Environmental Care (MEAFEC) w/ Friends of Williams Road Beach

Furthering health of foreshore and vulnerable bay habitats: ongoing revegetation and education

National Centre for Coasts and Climate, The University of Melbourne

Restoring healthy ecosystems on subtidal reefs: an integrated approach

National Centre for Coasts and Climate, The University of Melbourne

Managing nitrogen loads in Port Phillip Bay: towards better water quality

National Centre for Coasts and Climate, The University of Melbourne

From grey to green: nature-based solutions for coastal protection

Port Phillip EcoCentre

Clean Bay Blueprint: litter evidence, pro-active education and collaboration

Port Phillip EcoCentre w/ Werribee Riverkeeper

Living Water Workbees: private/public co-creation of weather-resilient Bay and catchment

St Columba's Primary School

St Columba's: Operation STEAM Clean the Bay (Science, Tech, Engineering, Arts, Maths)

Tangaroa Blue Foundation

Working together to target the source of marine debris & litter

Victorian National Parks Association

Strengthening ReefWatch - communities monitoring the health of Port Phillip Bay

Yarra Ranges Council

River to the Bay, Creating Healthy Waterways

Yarra Riverkeeper Association

Litter and flows - connecting the Yarra and the Bay