Hobsons Bay Coastal and Marine Management Plan on display

The future of Hobsons Bay’s iconic coastline and marine areas is in safe hands with the release of a draft report that will guide the management of these beloved spaces over the next 10 years, Hobsons Bay City Council reports.

At its Council meeting on Tuesday 9 March, they released the draft Hobsons Bay Coastal and Marine Management Plan (CMMP) for public exhibition from Monday, 15 March, to Sunday, 11 April. 

The draft plan, developed in accordance with the Marine and Coastal Act 2018 and Council’s Climate Change Action Plan, will provide strategic direction to protect Hobsons Bay’s coastline from erosion, storm surge and population growth, while enhancing it as a local asset.

Management of coastal areas includes everything from mangroves, coastal swamps, saltmarsh, seagrass meadows, parklands, wetlands, waterways, beaches, flora, fauna and cultural sites.

Developed in consultation with the community and numerous stakeholder groups and agencies over the past two years, the draft CMMP and its vision are based on more than 10,000 separate items of feedback.

The actions delivered from the draft CMMP are grouped under the key objectives of the plan which include:

• acknowledge Traditional Owners’ rights, aspirations and knowledge;

• protect and enhance the marine and coastal environment;

• respect natural processes;

• strengthen resilience to climate change;

• encourage sustainable use and development; and

• promote ownership and collaboration.

Projects outlined within the draft CMMP are divided into short term, medium term, long term and ongoing.