Our Environment

Two members of the Great Ocean Road Coast and Parks Authority Conservation Team at work in the Coastal Moonah Woodlands at Point Roadnight.

With millions of tourists and locals visiting our beautiful coastline each year, our environment is under increasing pressure.

Threats to our natural coastline include:

  • Habitat fragmentation and degradation
  • The spread of invasive weed and pest animal species
  • Unsustainable use of natural resources
  • Climate change
  • Changes to the aquatic environment and water flows
  • Litter
  • Illegal dune access
  • Irresponsible fishing line and equipment disposal.

One of the most significant issues along the Great Ocean Road is the impact of weeds. To address the ongoing issue of weeds within the land we manage, we developed the Coastal Vegetation Strategy.

We are committed to reducing the use of glyphosate-based herbicides and continue to trial alternative weed control methods where possible.

In an aim to reduce our herbicide application, we are:

  • Increasing our use of organic herbicides
  • Introducing steam weeding, particularly around high visitation areas
  • Increasing our use of selective herbicides
  • Using mulch as a weed suppressant where possible.

Our trial use has included:

  • The application of Slasher organic herbicide on Broom in Queens Park
  • Steam weeding on Blue Periwinkle (Vinca major) and various non-native grasses and Rust Fungus on Bridal Creeper.