No images? Click here As we emerge from a wet and stormy year, the warmer months are finally here and there's no better time to get out and explore our coast. Read on for the latest information you need to know before heading out to enjoy the best of Victoria's Local Ports located at Port Phillip, Western Port and Port Campbell.Pier and jetty upgrades Piers and jetties form an integral part of a community’s identity. With over 30 million visits annually to the local port piers and jetties, the social and economic benefits they provide extend far beyond their footprint. Over the past few years, many of these structures have been approaching the end of their design life, with Parks Victoria currently delivering millions of dollars of investment on projects across our local ports. As these piers and jetties continue to age, public safety is our highest priority and areas will be closed if necessary to keep people safe. We appreciate that closures are inconvenient but ask that they are respected and that visitors act in a safe manner when visiting our iconic piers and jetties. Major projects
Maintaining port assets
![]() Future planning for local ports We’re planning ahead to make Melbourne's key maritime precincts safer and more accessible by developing local port area plans at priority locations. In 2022 we released the Sandringham Local Port Area Plan, setting out a vision and strategic framework for future uses at Sandringham Harbour. Planning for Williamstown, Mornington, Sorrento and Rhyll is in development and draft plans will be released for public input during 2023. Caring for sea country Celebrating 20 years of Marine National Parks On November 16 2022, we celebrated the 20-year milestone of Victoria’s Marine National Park system. Together with partner agencies and the Victorian community, we’ve worked to manage Victoria’s marine protected areas and have developed management plans for each park. We’ve initiated and delivered programs to protect marine biodiversity and address key threats including illegal fishing, marine pests, overabundant native species, poor water quality, and visitor impacts. Remember, if you're heading out fishing or setting nets/traps, it's your responsibility to ensure you avoid these protected locations. Welcome to Wadawurrung Sea Country ![]() ![]() Major upgrade works at Portarlington harbour were completed in August, delivering more than improvements to the precinct's maritime facilities. The pier's new covered walkway shelters pedestrians and features a 120-metre-long mural by Wadawurrung Traditional Owner artists. A collection of large concrete mussel sculptures has also been installed to stabilise the beach at the pier approach, providing great seating to take in the mural and the sights of the beach and upgraded harbour. Do you Check! Clean! Dry? Any vessel that enters the water, from a superyacht to a kayak, can unknowingly translocate marine pests. Marine pests in Victoria are a serious problem and can cause significant harm to the health of marine ecosystems. Watch the video and follow the link to make sure you are stopping marine pests in their tracks. Dolphins share our bays It's always exciting to spot a curious dolphin in the water and a reminder we share our marine backyards with these special animals. They deserve a fair go, that’s why the Dolphin Research Institute is asking boaters to commit to Dolphin Distancing this summer. It's about being respectful around dolphins and giving them space on the water. It’s easy to do the right thing; if you see dolphins in the water, keep your boat at least 100m away, your jet ski 300m away and swimmers should distance themselves 30m. Safety on the water this summer Don't Jump, Don't Dive Jumping from piers and jetties might seem like a harmless activity on hot days but in Port Phillip and Western Port it can lead to serious injury. Don't risk a spinal injury. Water depths, sand bars and submerged debris and rubbish around piers can change on a daily basis which makes water conditions unpredictable.
Accidents happen Before you hit the water, lock in a buddy to make sure someone knows your plan. That way, if something unexpected happens, someone can raise the alarm. Watch Josh's story about an unexpected boating accident and why you should always lock in a buddy plan. Four seasons in one day Melbourne's weather is infamous for 'four seasons in one day'. Watch Max's story and make sure you know the weather forecast for the whole of your trip before you leave. Notices to Mariners alerts Parks Victoria regularly publishes Notices to Mariners (NtMs), these official notifications provide important advice on general navigation, hazards and safety issues. We encourage you to stay up to date with important safety information affecting the local ports of Port Phillip, Western Port and Port Campbell by subscribing.
![]() Permits for works, events and moorings Undertaking works, holding events and mooring vessels are all common activities that require a Permit from Parks Victoria as the local port manager. We have a team of staff that can help to facilitate your permit requests. Check out the links below to make sure you are up to speed before making plans. Stay up to date Want more nature inspiration and news straight to your inbox? Update your preferences to help us share the stories you'd like to receive. ![]() |