Dear Ms MacArthur and Ms Poulos, 

Comments on Overview Paper for Mt Eliza to Portsea Coast Action Plan 

Port Phillip Conservation Council Inc., a federation of 15 conservation organizations around Port Phillip Bay, has considered the above Overview Paper for the CAP. Our comments here, which also appear at www.vicnet.net.au/~phillip/bfg_cap_.htm observe that the Coast Action Plan consists very much of platitudes aimed at fostering economic development. The value judgements appear to be aimed at fostering urban development to provide for the tourists that the Plan suggests will visit, or should be encouraged to visit, the Port Phillip coast of the Mornington Peninsula in ever-increasing numbers. 

The Overview suggests that the CAP will not focus primarily on the environment, on preservation and protection of the natural coastal fringe, or restoration of any foreshore reserves. It would seem to be primarily a pretext for Councils to construct further carparks for day visitors, and attendant hot dog and ice cream stands. In short the CAP would appear to more of a Coastal Exploitation Plan – its focus would be on expanding all facilities to cater for economic development. It is clearly NOT to be focussed on preserving the coastline or retaining and protecting the few remaining elements of pristine natural foreshore. It seems that the Plan will not recognize that the coast is already over-stressed with the existing level of use, and that protection, rather than exploitation, is the imperative for the future. 

A guiding principle MUST BE that NO further foreshore degradation occur – along any part of the coast. The existing foreshore vegetation must be preserved in its entirety, and absolutely NO development that would alter, damage or harm the existing natural vegetation should be undertaken. 

A sound, environmentally focussed Coastal Action Plan must consider the people as a secondary element of the coast, needing controls – the coast is the attraction for their visit. The fragile, finite coast MUST be kept in its natural state for visitors and future generations without further degradation. 

A proper Coast Action Plan must include removal of introduced species, replanting with indigenous, site specific species, together with a careful management plan to protect the underwater marine environment out from the shoreline. The underwater foreshore margin is rarely seen or considered. 

Continuation of planning development skewed as envisaged in the CAP Overview towards short term and local business interests, and a tourism cargo cult, will result in an inexorable deterioration of our foreshore – and its replacement with carparks, beach umbrella hire stands and fast food outlets. 

Yours sincerely, 

Geoffrey Goode 
President, Port Phillip Conservation Council Inc. 

cc. Mayor and Councillors, Mornington Peninsula Shire Council: Chairman and Executive Officer of Central Coastal Board