February 24th, 2026New Grants Give Green Light To Protect Port Phillip Bay

The state government is helping to clean up Port Phillip Bay by backing local community projects that clean up and protect our beach.

Minister for Environment Steve Dimopoulos has announced the latest round of successful Port Phillip Bay Fund grant recipients.

The government is backing 26 projects with over $2 million to protect the health of the Bay with local community groups leading the way on protecting our waterfront.

Frankston Foreshore Reserve is being protected by removing damaging weeds and planting over 5,000 native species to restore the beach for families to enjoy thanks to a $20,000 investment.

Safety Beach will be protected by an investment of $19,280 into the stabilising of dunes impacted by coastal erosion and invasive weed management so locals and visitors can continue to enjoy the beach.

A project by the University of Melbourne, working Bunurong Land Council Aboriginal Corporation and Wadawurrung Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation will use advanced drone and mobile camera systems to track and analyse changes along the coastline.

This project will help identify where extra protection will be needed under a changing climate with an investment of $194,945.

Other funded projects included restoring oyster reefs in Corio Bay, cultivating juvenile kelp to help restore the natural marine ecosystem, and investigating drivers of algal blooms to improve prediction models.

The Port Phillip Bay Fund is part of the government’s ongoing investment to protect Victoria’s environment so families can enjoy on easy and affordable visits to Victoria’s great outdoors.

For more information, visit marineandcoasts.vic.gov.au/grants.