THE state government is set to establish a new committee to manage the Somers Foreshore Reserve amid growing unrest over the reserve’s deteriorating condition – but it appears it won’t come with any funding.
The Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA) recently called for expressions of interest for positions to establish a new committee of management (COM) to manage the Somers Foreshore Reserve, with an aim to have members appointed in the coming months.
The announcement follows mounting pressure from the Somers Residents Association (SRA), which earlier this year called for the reinstatement of a community committee to manage the reserve following concerns the land had been left in a state of neglect with overgrown vegetation and poor maintenance of public facilities (Somers Foreshore Reserve neglect sparks community push, The News 01/08/25).
A DEECA spokesperson said the new positions would “provide an opportunity for suitably qualified and experienced community members to contribute to management of this important coastal reserve”.
The reserve sits on Crown Land and is currently managed by DEECA.
However, there were hopes the new committee would come with the funding needed to reverse years of neglect, but it appeared management responsibilities would be transferred without financial backing.
When asked by The News in July whether the COM would be fully funded, DEECA said, “the committee of management can generate revenue on the reserve as well as apply for grants available through Victorian government programs”.
The absence of government funding, if this was to occur, has raised serious questions about how the committee would function – and whether the full financial burden would fall on the community.
The Somers Foreshore Reserve, which is prized for its biodiversity, beach access, and scenic value, has no dedicated camping or caravan areas for which it can generate revenue.
As reported by The News, Mornington Peninsula Shire mayor Cr Anthony Marsh said DEECA had been seeking to “enter into a funding agreement” to carry out work at Somers Foreshore Reserve, “however the shire is not in a position to deliver works on behalf of DEECA”.
“It is not the shire’s role to complete works on behalf of others in areas where we don’t have management responsibilities,” he said.
Areas in need of attention are extensive weed growth, revegetation works, and community facilities and path infrastructure.
Cr David Gill told The News while he was pleased to see the government finally establishing a COM and “bringing it back into the hands of the community”, he was disappointed that volunteers would have to rely on grants which were never guaranteed.
“I hope they will at least give them a seeding (financial) start. As far as I know they would be starting from scratch,” he said.
“In my opinion, we suffer from that system around Victoria. We have 10 percent of Victoria’s coastline on the Mornington Peninsula, and we suffer because the foreshore is for all Victorians.
“Some committees of management have the ability to raise funds because they may have a camping area or caravan park on the foreshore; a lot of things have to be done – it’s environmental, its trails, its tourism for all Victorians.”
But Gill said state grants were becoming harder to obtain.
“It’s diminishing and it’s always been diminishing, the amount of available funds for grants.
“We can’t say there’s no funding; it’s just a diminishing pool. It’s very difficult.
“It doesn’t mean they can’t organise working bees but as we know there’s a lot of things volunteers are not allowed to do that includes safety, and health and wellbeing things such as working near cliffs where you need professionals.”
The Somers Residents Association has been actively encouraging residents to submit an expression of interest for the COM. Applications closed 25 August.
First published in the Mornington News – 26 August 2025
