After extensive community engagement earlier this year, Mornington Peninsula Shire has developed the draft Masterplan for the Hastings foreshore.
Hastings foreshore is a much-loved area by residents and visitors. It's used daily by people exercising, fishing, playing and socialising, and is home to occasional large-scale events such as concerts and festivals.
The foreshore reserve stretches from the northern end of Fred Smith Reserve to southern Hastings foreshore, and includes a playground, fitness stations and Western Port's busiest boat ramp. The area is already used for many different activities, although this draft Masterplan brings new ideas to life.
The foreshore is a key public asset and already much loved by the Hastings community as a focal point for leisure, water activities and community gatherings. The draft Masterplan supports and enhances the qualities already found and loved.
Through the nearly 300 responses from our community earlier this year, there were five key themes that stood out:
- playful destination
- connected foreshore
- resilient coast
- enhanced natural environment
- collaborative and engaging processes.
Through these key themes, the draft Masterplan shapes future development to provide a more attractive, accessible, safe and sustainable foreshore.
The draft Masterplan also addresses some challenges, such as the Fred Smith Reserve being used as landfill in the 1970s and 80s. Additionally, the foreshore is a low-lying coastal area, and much of it could flood during bad storms and king tides, making it vulnerable to coastal hazards such as rising sea levels and erosion.
Coastal and marine management must be in accordance with the Marine and Coastal Act 2018 and is guided by the Marine and Coastal Policy (2020) and Strategy (2022).
How to have your say
We'd love your thoughts on the draft Masterplan before 20 November 2022.
Online
You can now help shape the future of Hastings foreshore by visiting mornpen.vic.gov.au/hastingsforeshore.
Feedback forms are also available upon request at our Customer Service Centres.
Pop in and visit us
- 13 October 2022, 9am – 1pm
Hastings Main Street market
- 4 November 2022, 12 – 4pm
Hastings Foreshore
- 10 November 2022, 4 – 6pm
Shire office in Hastings (Kings room)
Deputy Mayor and Cerberus Ward Councillor Lisa Dixon and the Shire's Team Leader - Water & Coasts Laura Crilly at the Hastings foreshore
Quote attributable to Mayor Councillor Anthony Marsh:
"People value the Hastings foreshore for many different reasons. This draft Plan give us an opportunity to balance the cultural, social, environmental and economic values of this area."
Quote attributable to Deputy Mayor and Cerberus Ward Councillor Lisa Dixon:
"Our residents have an important role to play in the future management of Hastings foreshore. Your feedback means a lot – thank you to everyone who contributed their thoughts earlier this year. Community knowledge and understanding of the coast has helped inform this draft Plan."
