We acknowledge the traditional owners of the land around Port Phillip Bay, including Bunurong People, and their continuing connection to land, water, and community. We pay our respects to them and their culture, and to the Elders, past, present and emerging. Melbourne isn’t exactly a surf destination, but it’s home to surfers nonetheless, and we’re passionate about protecting the beaches and marine life of Port Phillip Bay. Our branch was born in 2019 out of the Fight for the Bight movement. Close to 3,000 people joined our paddle out at St Kilda Beach to protest against proposed plans to drill for oil in the Great Australian Bight. We mobilised again for a second successful paddle out at Rye Pier, working with local community groups as part of the Fight For The Bight — National Day of Action. Our team has recently been busy cleaning up our local beaches, raising awareness of projects we believe would negatively impact Port Phillip Bay and Victoria, and taking part in the development of policy to protect marine life and our coastline at a state government level. Get in touch to see how you can help protect Melbourne’s beaches and the Bay at [email protected] Follow us on FACEBOOK
LOCAL CAMPAIGNS
BEACH CLEANS
As a relatively new branch, and bay waves being, well, bay waves, the Surfrider Foundation Melbourne is focussing its efforts on regular beach clean ups around Port Phillip Bay. Our clean ups are a great opportunity to meet other surf-loving locals. Keep an eye on our Facebook page for details of the next event.
MARINE AND COASTAL ACT
Given our passion for protecting our marine and coastal environment, as well as Victoria’s world-class surf breaks, the Surfrider Foundation Melbourne provided extensive feedback on the updated Marine and Coastal Act 2018 prior to its release in March 2020. This Act seeks to improve management and oversight arrangements for Victoria’s marine and coastal environment.
FIGHT FOR THE BIGHT
We rallied communities from around the bay to join in our National Day of Action to stand up to Equinor’s planes to drill for oil in The Great Australian Bight. In February they withdrew their plans.