Park Rangers commence education campaign 

Parks Victoria Rangers are encouraging people to be aware of upcoming changes to where recreation activities can take place in Belfast Coastal Reserve.

The changes follow the release of the Belfast Coastal Reserve Management Plan which establishes two zones in the reserve to ensure recreation is balanced with the protection of environmental and cultural values.

Once updated regulations for the reserves are finalised early this year, visitors will need to know where recreation activities can and cannot take place. Key changes include the requirement for dogs to be on a lead and for recreational horse riders to be at the water’s edge when on the beach. Dogs and horses will not be permitted within a Conservation Zone.

To raise awareness of the forthcoming changes, Parks Victoria Rangers are commencing an education campaign for park visitors, neighbouring residents, community organisations and groups that regularly use the reserve. Temporary signage will also be installed at entry points to the reserve. 

The Belfast Coastal Reserve is home to important wildlife, a place of significance for Traditional Owners, and an important community asset offering a range of recreation opportunities. Native animals, plants and birds can be found in the reserve’s wetlands, beaches, dunes and waters, with the beaches being a nationally important breeding spot for the threatened Hooded Plover.

The reserve is of great cultural significance to Eastern Maar and Gunditj Mirring Traditional Owners. Cultural heritage exists across the landscape in the form of coastal middens, stone artefacts, the names of local places and sites given by ancestors, and through many more features of Country. 

To protect these values while maintaining opportunities for recreation, community consultation was undertaken during 2018 to produce a management plan for the reserve. After extensive community consultation that received more than 400 written submissions, 400 online surveys and 250 quick poll surveys, the Belfast Coastal Reserve Management Plan was produced.

Information and a map outlining the upcoming changes, which also address camping, fires, hunting, driving and riding in the dunes, is available on the Belfast Coastal Reserve page of the Parks Victoria website.

The updated regulations for the reserve are expected to be finalised during the first half of the year, while a review of the management plan is expected to begin in mid-2021. 

Quotes attributable to Michael Smith, Area Chief Ranger– Parks Victoria:

“Belfast Coastal Reserve is a much-loved place that will benefit from a balanced approach to managing recreation and protection of natural and cultural values.”

“With more people on the reserve during the warmer months, we’ll be busy helping visitors and locals understand the changes and learn what’s so special about the reserve.”

“We’ve recently hired two new Park Rangers who will be out-and-about sharing this information, and making sure everybody enjoys their visit while respecting the environment.”

Key upcoming changes for dog walkers and recreational horse riders