Caring for our port

Press Release

Barwon Coast takes pride in the Local Port of Barwon Heads

Barwon Coast is caring for the Local Port of Barwon Heads, with over 20 port projects completed and gaining over $290,000 in grants over the past 18 months.

Barwon Coast has successfully managed the port since 1997, and these projects continue to support the maintenance of a safe navigable channel for recreational vessels and other port users, including the Coast Watch Radio and Marine Rescue Squad, emergency services, community groups and commercial operators.

Barwon Coast is appointed Port Manager for the Local Port of Barwon Heads through the Department of Transport under the ‘Port Management Act 1995’. Our role is to oversee port operations, including boating activities and maintenance of the port facilities, navigable channel and navigational aids.

With current estimates indicating approximately 6,000 vessels moving through the port each year, Barwon Coast is maintaining a strong focus on safety.

Port projects completed in the 2022-2023 financial year included Ozone Jetty maintenance works (Stages 1 and 2) to replace and paint weathered and rotted decking planks, handrails, structural timbers and jetty capping. Works on Main Jetty (Stage 1) involved the replacement of weathered and rotted decking and painting of jetty capping.

The Beacon Replacement and Refurbishment Program revamped and replaced navigational beacons South of the Barwon Heads pedestrian bridge, including the installation of new self-monitoring, SATCOM capable solar powered lights, that will notify Barwon Coast when the light batteries are low or faulty or not working.

The successful Boating Channel Safety Realignment-Trial involved the repositioning of two buoys and addition of one new buoy at the boating channel pinch point (Jimmy’s Reef) to provide a safer boating channel, while the installation of a real-time tide gauge on Main Jetty Barwon Heads helps boat operators, swimmers, paddle boarders and other port users plan to use the Port and coast safely.

Barwon Coast Committee of Management Chair Sandy Gatehouse says:

“Managing the port well is critical to the safety and wellbeing of our waterways, port users and community; it’s another way we care for the coast.”

Barwon Coast CEO Gary McPike adds that Barwon Coast sees the safety of the Port and community as a priority.

“Safety is a critical part of Barwon Coasts role as Port Manager, and our qualified and dedicated team is committed to supporting this vital service to support our coast and our port community.”

“We have a number of projects coming up over the next financial year, including the next stages of works on the Main and Ozone jetties and further channel safety realignment works.” 

-ENDS-

Notes for editors:

Barwon Coast Committee of Management Inc. (Barwon Coast)

Barwon Coast Committee of Management Inc. (Barwon Coast) is appointed by the Victorian State Government to manage 19km of coastal Crown land through the Ocean Grove,  Barwon Heads and Breamlea townships, along the Bass Strait coast of the Bellarine Peninsula, Victoria, Australia. Our vision is that the natural environment of our coastline will flourish whilst meeting the needs of our engaged communities. A major local employer in Barwon Heads and Ocean Grove, we have more than 50 skilled employees from a diverse range of backgrounds working across the coastal reserve.

For further information contact:

• Ann Card, Communications & Engagement Coordinator
• (03) 5254 1118
• [email protected]