   Coastal Areas of Mount Eliza MEAFEC has worked tirelessly to obtain improved recognition and management of the valuable foreshore area in co-operation with the Mornington Peninsula Shire and other agencies. There is a complex history of disturbance and extensive weed invasion. The result of this interaction of natural and human factors is the complex mess evident today.
Weed invasion has been widespread, particularly where there has been a history of severe disturbance. The most serious weeds along the coast are Myrtle-leaf Milkwort Polygala, Boneseed, Sweet Pittosporum and Panic Veldt Grass. Relevant issues include vegetation protection, resource allocation, contingency planning for regeneration, cliff protection, weed management, orchid management, restoration and revegetation, aboriginal middens, bathing boxes, exotic trees, rubbish/garden refuse dumping, gully erosion, informal tracks, monitoring and community involvement.
MEAFEC believes that ecologically sustainable land use planning, natural resource management and visitor management are increasingly required to protect the Mornington Peninsula. Pressures on the coast are escalating and key planning decisions need to be made. Issues that we wish to address include the following: 1. Mount Eliza Coast between Osprey Avenue and Sunnyside Road This stretch of coast needs a wide foreshore reserve bounded by a formed road similar to other foreshores on the east coast of Port Phillip Bay. This is still an attractive unspoilt section of coast and is one of Mount Eliza's most popular swimming beaches. At present the land is privately owned to high water mark. We do not wish to see this coast spoilt as happened north of Earimil Creek. There, on what is probably the most poorly planned coast in Port Phillip Bay, numerous prominent mansions have ruined the landscape. The foreshore reserve below is narrow and not ecologically viable due to the buildings and their gardens on slopes immediately above.
A requirement for any development approvals for Osprey Avenue to Sunnyside Road should be that proposed dwellings on existing titles are not visible from the beach or water at swimming depth a wide foreshore reserve bounded by a formed road is included in subdivision proposals 2. Mount Eliza Coast between Canadian Bay and Daveys Bay Y.C. The condition of the coastal landscape in this area is in need of massive landscape and natural attention – uncontrolled coastal erosion, weed and vermin infestation and stormwater & household discharge. 3. Natural Resource Management Natural resource management is frequently
downplayed in management plans.
4. Bathing boxes We believe that bathing boxes are unsightly,
inconsistent with natural landscapes and an unjustifiable private use of
a public asset. Most are constructed in sensitive and highly depleted
ecosystems at the base of coastal bluffs such as Coast Banksia Woodland
and Coastal Dune
There should be a process of removing bathing boxes from relatively natural areas, especially those that fall into disrepair. 5. Commercial Development We are generally opposed to commercial development of foreshore reserves, especially where clearance of any native vegetation is concerned. 6. Condition of Paths at Mount Eliza Many of the pathways to the beaches in Mount Eliza are in appalling condition. Wooden steps are needed at Earimil Lookout and Osprey Avenue in particular. A suitable model is the steps at Bird Rock Beach in Mornington. These and other infrastructure works should always be accompanied by natural resource management such as professional quality weed control for a period of at least twelve months. Adequate funding must be provided for natural resource management implementation. 7. Ranelagh Lot B We believe that sale of Ranelagh Lot B in Mount Eliza which adjoins the foreshore at the mouth of Earimil Creek would be highly inappropriate. This land is significant for conservation and should be added to the foreshore reserve. 8. Other Issues There are many other issues that need discussion
concerning the Mount Eliza Coastline including:
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