Threats: Coastal Dev, Polluted Water, Ecosystem Integrity, Climate Change
This bay contains over a dozen breaks handling big SW winter swells (Mornington side) and offering SE protected summer waves (on Phillip Island side). The Bay was saved from a container terminal proposal in 1994 but a “new major port for Melbourne” is now back on the table.
Westernports many breaks are all threatened by a proposed expansion of the port in Hastings and dredging of the shipping channel (note: where a bombie is seen breaking in the photo below). The ecosystem threats include ecological and hydrological impacts from dredging, potential oil spills into the sensitive bay mangroves and seal sanctuaries, the introduction of invasive species, as well as marine debris and other pollution from the many container ships. The waves themselves are threatened due to their already high sensitivity to tide, sand movement and currents.
The impact of dredging on the surf breaks has not been considered in the Ports studies so far and Surfrider Foundation and the Victorian National Parks Association are campaigning on this basis.
Contact: Simon Branigan, phone: 0409 087 278
Local Identity: Dr Rex Campbell